Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 29 January 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 February 2009. It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 February 2009 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Heathrow Airport: Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many schools within the boundaries of areas surrounding Heathrow airport currently have air quality with a nitrogen dioxide level of 40 micrograms/m3 or greater.

Answer: The technical report ““Population Exposure to Air Pollution””, published as part of the ““Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport”” consultation in November 2007, shows (Table 3.4) 16 'sensitive receptors' (which includes schools) with nitrogen dioxide levels above the limit of 40 micrograms/m3 in 2002. Data for the current year is not available but no such exceedences are predicted in 2010 or future years, with or without airport expansion.

Secondary information