New Air Quality Monitors Installed Across the Borough
The devices have been placed near to schools and nurseries
From left to right, Dr Kayla Schulte (Research Associate), Andrew Grieve (Senior Air Quality Analyst), Hima Chouhan (Senior Air Quality Analyst) and Dr Benjamin Barratt (Reader in Environmental Exposures & Public Health) from Imperial College London's Environmental Research Group. Picture: Jo Mieszkowski/Imperial College London
March 13, 2023
Fifty new air quality sensors have been placed across the borough to help track air pollution near schools.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council have installed most of them near primary schools with other situated near local secondary schools and nurseries.
The new air quality sensors will help monitor any changes in air pollution hotspots. Running entirely on renewable solar power, the new Breathe London sensors – one of three air quality monitoring networks in the borough – are able to measure local levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5).
The data from the sensors is freely available to the public on the Breathe London website.
Along with its air quality monitoring stations – which will be increased from two to six locations this year – more than 50 nitrogen dioxide diffusion tubes and 100 Vortex sensors are now installed in H&F as we lead the way in air quality monitoring.
The Breathe London network is run by Imperial College London’s Environmental Research Group (ERG) – who also run the London Air Quality Network.
Air quality sensor outside St Peter's CE Primary, W6
The White City collective – based in Imperial’s School of Public Health in Wood Lane – is working to understand the sources and effects of air pollution on people’s heath. They track, analyse and interpret the data collected, as well as calibrate and maintain the sensors.
ERG’s director, Professor Frank Kelly, said: “I think we have a council which is very forward-thinking and very enthusiastic about using the skills and the innovation which can come out of a district like this, to better the lives and the well-being of the residents.”
Cllr Wesley Harcourt, H&F Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Ecology, said, “Being able to identify hotspots and pollution progression over time helps us make informed decisions and create schemes with a measurable impact on people and planet. Our air sensor network is the key to understanding and, eventually, cleaning our local air.”
The council says the installation form part of its efforts to improve air quality along with its planned Clean Air Neighbourhood schemes.
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