Air Quality & Odour

Climate change is the biggest threat to the health and welfare of the worlds population.  It is imperative that we put in place the necessary changes that will positively affect the social and environmental determinants of our health and wellbeing for our future generations.  Reducing emissions of air pollutants including greenhouse gases is one of the greatest challenges humankind has faced.

Air Quality Impact Assessment (AQIA) determines the contribution to ambient pollutant concentrations at receptor locations due to current or future emission sources.  Emissions from the transport, industrial and energy sectors have the potential to significantly affect air quality in our localities.  The principal activities in AQIA are baseline air quality monitoring and modelling of future impacts using dispersion modelling.

Our Air Quality & Odour Impact Assessment services include:

  • Air Quality Impact Assessment from industry and transport sources.
  • Odour Impact Assessment from wastewater treatment plants, composting facilities, anaerobic digestion plants, etc.
  • Climate Impact Assessment.
  • Ambient Air Quality Monitoring studies including a range of pollutants including NOx, NO2, SO2, benzene, VOCs, metals, etc.
  • Particulate Monitoring including dust deposition, PM10, PM2.5, etc.
  • Emissions to Atmosphere Monitoring from industrial sources.
  • Demolition and Construction Dust Assessment.
  • Assessment of Air Quality impacts due to major developments in Air Quality Management Areas.
  • Dispersion Modelling of industrial emissions using AERMOD and ADMS dispersion modelling software.
  • Transport Infrastructure Impact Assessment using the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) screening model and ADMS Roads dispersion modelling software.
  • Industrial Emission Directive / Pollution Prevention Control (PPC) Permit – Part A and Part B permit applications.
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions Permits
  • PPC Permit and Planning Condition Compliance Assessment.
  • Air Quality & Odour Mitigation Design Advice.

Typically, the Clients of our AQIA services include Industry, Energy Providers, Planning Consultants, Architects, Quarries, Developers, Councils and State Bodies.

Health, Safety and Welfare

AONA Environmental believe that looking after the Health, Safety and Welfare of staff makes good business sense. There are many benefits of high quality Occupational Health & Safety, including increased productivity, higher quality of work, increased workforce morale and reduced employee turnover.

In Ireland and the United Kingdom, legislation sets out provisions for securing and improving the safety, health and welfare of people at work. This legislation sets out the rights and obligations of both employers and employees and provides for substantial fines and penalties for breaches of the health and safety legislation.

AONA Environmental can help our clients to improve safety in the workplace by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing systems that will reduce the likelihood of injury occurring at work, thereby aiding our clients to comply with relevant Health and Safety legislation.

Occupational Noise at Work Surveys: Exposure to high levels of noise can have physiological and psychological effects on workers, including permanent hearing loss or conditions such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears).  High noise levels can interfere with communications in the workplace, leading to an increased risk of accidents and can be a source of stress. Employers are required to reduce the noise level when employees are likely to be exposed to noise at work above the lower exposure action value. The employer is obliged to carry out a detailed Noise Risk Assessment, completed by a competent person. If it is anticipated an employee is at risk of exposure to noise, the employer must establish and implement a programme of technical and organisational measures to reduce exposure.

Hygiene, Dust and Indoor Air Quality: Where hazardous chemical agents are present or likely to be present in the workplace, employers are required by legislation to protect workers from the hazards related to chemical agents at work.  Appropriate measures include risk assessment, indoor air quality monitoring, prevention and control measures, health surveillance, record keeping and employee’s duties.

AONA Environmental identify and assess the risks posed by noise, dust, gas, vapours and chemicals in the workplace in accordance with best practise. A comprehensive Occupational Hygiene Monitoring Report including an assessment of the effectiveness of current control measures and recommendations to reduce exposure will be undertaken to ensure legislative compliance and the betterment of the health, safety and welfare of all employees.

Typically, the Clients of our Occupational Health & Safety services include Industrial facilities, such as the manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors.

Noise, Vibration & Acoustics

A suitable acoustic environment or soundscape can have a huge impact on people’s perceptions of a building or space.  A suitably designed acoustic environment allows for effective communication, enjoyment, relaxation or concentration depending on project specific requirements.

AONA Environmental has extensive experience of dealing with noise and acoustic issues on a range of project types including residential projects, road schemes, industrial, power plants, renewable energy, educational and recreational developments.

AONA Environmental works collaboratively with our clients to ensure an integrated approach to noise impact assessment and we provide practical and cost-effective noise and acoustic mitigation solutions.

Our capabilities include:

  • Environmental Noise Monitoring.
  • Noise Prediction Modelling using CadnaA (Computer Aided Noise Abatement) software for the calculation, presentation, assessment and prediction of environmental noise.
  • Noise Impact Assessment.
  • Noise Mitigation Design.
  • Transport Infrastructure Noise Impact Assessment & Road Traffic Noise Mitigation Design.
  • Industrial Noise Impact Assessment in accordance with BS 4142: 2014 Methods for rating and assessing industrial and commercial sound.
  • Wind Farm Noise Impact Assessment in accordance with Institute of Acoustics Good Practice Guidance.
  • Quarry Noise & Vibration Impact Assessment.
  • Noise Action Plans.
  • Environmental Planning & Permit Applications and supporting Noise services.
  • Building Services and Architectural Acoustics.
  • Occupational Noise at Work Assessments.
  • Environmental & Occupational Vibration Assessments.
  • Expert Witness and legal opinion with regards to noise nuisance complaints.

Typically, the Clients of our Noise, Vibration & Acoustics services include Planning Consultants, Architects, Wind Farms, Quarries, Industry, Developers, Councils and State Bodies.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the process of examining the environmental effects of a proposed project from design stage to preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR).  The process includes consultation with and evaluation of the EIAR by a competent authority, with the subsequent decision as to whether the project should be permitted to proceed encompassing public response.

The EU (Planning and Development) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2018 require member states of the EU to carry out assessments of the environmental impact of certain public and private projects before they are allowed to proceed.

AONA Environmental has wide-ranging experience at all stages of the EIA process. We have a structured EIA project team in place that has worked together for many years on environmental impact assessments for a wide range of project types.

We are also very pleased to provide specialist Air Quality, Odour & Noise Impact Assessment capabilities within a wider EIA project team.

Appropriate Assessment (AA)

The EU Habitats Directive requires an ‘Appropriate Assessment’ (AA) to be carried out where a plan or project is likely to have a significant impact on a Natura 2000 site. Natura 2000 sites include Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). The stages in the AA process include:

Stage 1 Screening (test of likely significance ‘screening’)
Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment (Natura Impact Statement – NIS)
Stage 3 Assessment of alternative solutions
Stage 4 Assesses compensatory measures required if no alternative solutions exist

AONA Environmental has significant experience in the preparation of Appropriate Assessment Screening and Natura Impact Assessments.

Typically, the Clients of our Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment services include Planning Consultants, Architects, Quarries, Industry, Developers, Councils and State Bodies.

CONTACT US

Our Clients Say

“Mervyn Keegan and the team at AONA Environmental Consulting has assisted us throughout the development of our projects at Evermore Renewable Energy Ltd. from planning through to operational phase since our inception in 2008.  He has provided us with excellent professional guidance in the development of our flagship projects to date. These include the operational Evermore Energy Ltd. 17 MW wood-fired CHP plant at Derry Port and the proposed Belfast Power Ltd 480 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) in Belfast Harbour Estate, Belfast, Northern Ireland.  AONA Environmentals capabilities range from environmental to occupational health and safety consultancy.  We have always found Mervyn to be personable and professional in all dealings with our project partners and relevant authorities when working on our behalf”.

Ciaran Devine – Director, Evermore Energy Ltd.

“We have worked with Mervyn Keegan on a number of large-scale development proposals and found his contribution to be invaluable.  His ability to provide robust reports within a timely manner greatly assists in delivering high quality planning applications.  AONA Environmental remains our number one point of contact when we need specialist environmental advice for major development proposals”.

Gravis Planning is a market-leading town planning and engagement consultancy active throughout the UK and Ireland.

Chris Bryson, Director, Gravis Planning.

“Assessing the potential noise impact from a single wind turbine is a key consideration during the journey of achieving planning permission.  Mervyn Keegan is a proactive, meticulous and efficient noise consultant that produces high quality noise impact assessments to the requirements of the local Environmental Health Departments.  His expertise was key to the success of Simple Power achieving planning permission for numerous single wind turbine projects through Northern Ireland.”

Stuart Clarke, Former Planning Manager at Simple Power and now Planning Consultant to Foresight Group.

“Quarryplan has consistently worked with Mervyn Keegan on several projects over the past 15 years.  The noise and air quality assessment services provided by Mervyn and his team have helped to successfully deliver numerous mineral and wind energy projects for our clients in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and across the UK. They provide competent professional assessments and reports, and what’s more they provide them on time.  Mervyn also provides highly regarded and confident affidavits and expert witness”. 

Gareth McCallion – Principal Planner, Quarryplan Ltd.

“The AONA team are great at what they do, efficient and pro-active.  Merv and the team are like an extension of our own team providing support and expertise when needed to consistently high standards which is why we don’t go anywhere else.  Would we recommend them?  Very much so”.

Chris Williams, Director, Green Life Products Ltd. t/a Glp Ecotech

“AONA Environmental Consulting have completed several noise and air quality impact assessments for water services projects managed by Nicholas O’Dwyer Limited.  The assessments were undertaken in a professional manner and addressed the requirements of the scope.  AONA Environmental also demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to amendments in the scope and in the delivery of the services”.

Richard Church, Environment Lead, Nicholas O’Dwyer