Checking and controlling air pollution from your business

If you have a pollution prevention and control permit, waste management licence or a waste exemption, you must comply with all of its conditions. See our guideline Environmental permits and licences - an overview.

The best way to reduce air pollution from your business is to avoid producing it in the first place. Start by checking your emissions and reviewing your business processes to see if you can cut down your emissions. Then take steps to control any remaining emissions.

Check your business for air pollution

• Carry out visual assessments of emissions from your operations and make a record of these.
• Buy appropriate monitoring instruments that check levels of gas and fumes. You could use an environmental consultant to do this.

Control air pollution in your business

• Ensure staff are informed about the dangers of dust and fumes.
• Clean machinery and premises regularly and thoroughly.
• Seal vessels that contain solvents and other hazardous substances.
• Ensure there are enough open windows and doors on the premises. However, make sure you consider the effects of air pollution on the wider environment.
• Install a ventilation system.

In this guideline

Causes and effects of air pollution

Business benefits of improving air quality

What you must do to prevent air pollution

Prevent dark smoke

Boilers and furnaces: environmental authorisations

Boilers and furnaces - chimney height requirements

Burning waste controls

Smoke control areas

Protecting neighbours from air pollution

Checking and controlling air pollution from your business

Air pollution environmental legislation