18/06/2026
Today (18 June) is Clean Air Day - a chance to focus on the air we all share and why it matters for our health, especially for children, older people, and those with breathing conditions.
Across Dorset, air quality remains good overall. We monitor it throughout the year as part of our legal duty to protect people’s health, tracking a range of pollutants across the county. Our 2025 Annual Status Report has been submitted to government and will be published once reviewed.
Where monitoring identifies a local issue, we take targeted action. We have identified one such hotspot, mainly linked to vehicle emissions. The encouraging news is that pollution levels here continue to fall, as more people switch to cleaner engines and electric vehicles.
We have also recently completed a government-funded project looking at emissions from solid fuel burning. Practical advice on this is available on our website for anyone wanting to make cleaner choices at home.
We recognise the strong local concern around the proposed Powerfuel incinerator in Portland. In response, we are increasing our monitoring in the area to gather more detailed information about existing air pollution levels. This will help ensure we have clear, reliable evidence.
Clean air benefits everyone and protecting it is a shared effort. Small everyday changes - like driving less, avoiding engine idling, or choosing cleaner fuels at home - can make a real difference.
You can find simple, practical steps to help improve air quality on the Clean Air Hub. Link below.
