London,
18
July
2018
|
08:15
Europe/London

Camden groups helping to improve local air quality

As part of Camden Council’s drive to improve air quality in the borough, it provided free air quality monitoring equipment to residents and community groups to help them understand air pollution in their area.

No fewer than 23 individuals and community groups monitored 47 separate sites across Camden between July 2017 and March 2018. The results, shared with project participants today, give a general insight into the state of local air. As expected, the results indicate higher concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in the central and southern parts of the borough.

You can view the data on our Open Data air quality monitoring page

Air pollution has a significant impact on public health and accounts for around 9,400 premature deaths in London each year, affecting the health of many more through asthma and the worsening of other lung and heart conditions. Road transport is the biggest cause of air pollution in Camden.

Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for Improving Camden's Environment
“We want more people to get involved and understand what the air is like on their street, by their school, near their place of work.

“Through this project individuals and community groups right across Camden have gained a snapshot of the air quality in their area.

“I hope this will get people thinking about what we can all do differently to cut air pollution – walking rather than driving, for example, or not getting that wood-burning stove, however appealing it may be.

The council has launched an air quality campaign, and our new Camden Clean Air Partnership met on 9 July to start the design of a new Clean Air Action Plan for Camden.

“The partnership is made up of residents and organisations from right across Camden. Together they discussed what practical steps could be taken to clean up our air – and the consequences of not doing so.”
Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for Improving Camden's Environment

We will be consulting on Camden’s new Clean Air Action Plan later this year.