A GROUND-BREAKING new website has launched to give residents and businesses the chance to see how clean the air is in their neighbourhood.
Near-live air quality data is being collected by the largest hi-tech network of sensors outside of London and made publicly available at people’s fingertips online at cleanair.wmca.org.uk.
The sensors – funded with government money secured by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) – have been installed outside homes, schools, businesses, hospitals and sports centres right across the region.
They are providing near real time data yet on levels of microscopic particles from wood burners, vehicle tyres, building sites and factories.
These tiny particulates can exacerbate long term health conditions, including asthma, coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.
The sensors are also said to be tracking levels of nitrogen dioxide from roads and industrial sites.
The WMCA say this data will give local people a greater insight into pollution hotspots so they can take their own actions to improve their health and quality of life.
West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, said: “Too many people are suffering the effects of air pollution. That has to change and it’s going to take bold actions from everyone.
“I’m already investing to make homes healthier, and businesses cleaner and greener. And we are innovating to move to a zero-emission public transport network.
“Now we have one of the country’s largest air quality sensor networks. I’ve taken action to give people the information they need to react and provide a brighter, healthier future for everyone.”
Improving lives with better quality air is at the centre of measures within the first West Midlands-wide Air Quality Framework.
This long-term plan 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.
The air quality sensors are being supplied, installed and monitored by EarthSense, which specialises in environmental monitoring and modelling of air pollution data to enable public and private sectors to visualise and manage air quality challenges.
Owen Gardner, chief operating officer at EarthSense, said: “We are proud to be delivering a hyperlocal network of advanced air quality monitoring sensors to WMCA, providing real-time pollution insights along with fully quality controlled and quality assured data outputs via the interactive public facing engagement portal.
“The initiative aims to support data-driven decision-making for cleaner, healthier communities. This partnership reinforces EarthSense’s commitment to tackling air pollution with cutting-edge sensor technology and modelling.”
