West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has revealed that work is underway to install a new network of sensors to significantly increase air quality monitoring outside homes, schools, hospitals and sports centres.
WMCA reports that later this year, near-live data from the sensors will be made publicly available online so people can see for themselves just how clean the air in their neighbourhood actually is.
The 90 sensors will provide the first region-wide monitoring of microscopic particles given off by things such as wood burners, vehicle tyres and factories.
These particulates can exacerbate long term health conditions, including asthma, coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.
Each year in the West Midlands, around 2,300 people die early due to long term exposure to air pollution.
Accessing this data will give local people a greater insight into pollution levels in their area so they can better understand the sources of pollution and take their own actions to improve their health and quality of life.
Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, Richard Parker, said: “These new sensors are just the latest tool in our fight against pollution and will give our communities real-world information about the quality of the air they are breathing.
“That information will also tell them the main sources of pollution in their area and what they can do to improve air quality.”
WMCA successfully applied for £1.5m of Government funding to significantly boost the air quality monitoring that is already carried out by local councils.
The data will be used to better understand pollution trends and levels to target investment where it is most needed.
The funding will also support behaviour change campaigns and work to raise awareness about the health impacts of pollution.
These are the priority measures in the first West Midlands-wide Air Quality Framework – a longer-term plan that sets out measures that must be considered by the WMCA, local authorities, central government, businesses and local communities to accelerate improvements to air quality on a regional scale.
Regional air quality lead at Asthma + Lung UK, Maddy Dawe, said: “It’s fantastic to see the first air quality sensor of the new network installed outside Pegasus Academy, a school located next to two main roads, so that air quality can be monitored in real time.
“Gathering data is crucial to improve our understanding of air pollution hotspots, so that urgent measures to tackle toxic air can be put in place.
“Children are most vulnerable to the impacts of toxic air as it stunts the growth of their lungs, which can damage their health for the rest of their lives.
“Asthma + Lung UK has been calling on the Mayor of West Midlands to prioritise improving air quality across the region, so we welcome this latest development.”
Achievements and innovations in air quality will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations are open now! Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector
