Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot has agreed to consider bringing in air pollution tests, after coming under pressure in Tynwald.

Mr Boot originally argued that the island had clean air and, given costs involved, it was not a priority to test for pollution.

When he was told there were inexpensive testing options he did - after initially appearing reluctant to do so - agree to look into it.

The pressure was applied principally by Ralph Peake (Douglas North), who was unhappy at the initial response he received.

Referring to comments made Chris Thomas to an earlier question, Mr Peake told the environment minister: ’The Minister for Policy and Reform said earlier, this government is a government of action, so I await the action from your department.’

Mr Peake had tabled a question asking Mr Boot when the Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture would start air pollution tests and publish the results.

In his initial answer, Mr Boot said: ’There are currently no requirements in Manx legislation to undertake air quality tests and, as such, it is not proposed to carry out such testing in the near future.’

Previous testing had uncovered ’minor air quality issues’, including that, during rush hour, ’Quarterbridge has material levels of vehicle emissions on relatively still days’.

But, he said, the government had brought in a ’mitigation strategy’ to push down harmful emissions.

’While this is clearly not the same as dedicated air quality monitoring, the preventative aspect of the strategy, in combination with the actions to be delivered as part of it, should ensure that air quality improves over time, which I hope members will accept is more important.’

He admitted that, despite legislation from 1990 saying that regulations be introduced to designate substances for measuring, they had never been introduced.

That appeared to irk Mr Peake, who hit back: ’I thank the minister for his reference to comparing the Isle of Man with London, but the fact is that in 2008 the tests did actually prove that we were higher than the EU recommendations.

’These tests are very inexpensive. They are just £15 for a diversion tube which actually tests nitrogen-dioxide, which is the main cause from diesel cars.’

He added: ’The opportunity you have with your department is to give the public clear direction that our air quality is poor in certain areas.’

Others said, without monitoring, the department could not prove air pollution was not serious.

Mr Boot relented and told members he would ’talk to the environmental health officers to see whether there is an economic method of monitoring air pollution that we can use and make those figures available’.

The Manx National Anthem refers to ’sweet mountain air’. If air quality is found to be lacking, that might have to change.

In Tynwald this week Mr Boot admitted that the Isle of Man would fail to hit its targets for use of renewable energy. A full report on that issue was in Thursday’s Manx Independent.