Air pollution comes from a diverse range of sources, including industry, transport, burning solid fuels and others. DEFRA describe air pollution as posing the single greatest environmental risk to human health. Short term exposure to elevated levels of air pollution can cause a range of health effects, in particular to vulnerable groups such as those with health issues, elderly and very young. Long term exposure has the potential to shorten all lifespans. In particular, particulate matter is a focus for the recent Environment Bill 2020.
This report investigates the potential to install air quality sensors on street lights across the county, to provide the local authorities with additional information on air quality in Suffolk. The sensors investigated are considered “low cost” sensors, compared with reference monitors that are significantly more expensive. Four suppliers provided air quality sensors to the project. The report details and investigates the data returned from the sensors, particularly with reference to particulate matter, and makes conclusions and recommendations based on the data analysis.
It pulls together this information in a financial and business case assessment, and makes recommendations for use of “low cost” air quality monitoring in Suffolk.