How Lincolnshire's innovative air quality monitoring network is safeguarding public health

An initiative to tackle air pollution in Lincolnshire

According to Public Health England, poor air quality is the most significant environmental threat to public health in the UK. Air pollution has the potential to trigger increases in cardiovascular and respiratory ailments, especially among young or susceptible individuals.

Faced with persistent air pollution, Lincolnshire County Council recognized the need for a comprehensive air quality monitoring network that would provide access to real-time air quality information, enabling informed decision-making to mitigate pollution and protect public health. With these objectives in mind, they launched the Clean Air Lincolnshire air quality monitoring network. 

The air quality monitoring network, funded by the DEFRA 2022-23 Air Quality Grant, comprises eight MCERTS-certified Clarity Node-S outdoor air quality sensors strategically placed outside different schools along busier roads. The air pollution parameters measured by the network include nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10).

Deployment of outdoor air pollution sensors at the schools

The monitoring network spans key locations across Lincolnshire, encompassing Lincoln, Gainsborough, Holbeach, Boston, Grantham, and North Somercotes. These areas were chosen to represent a mix of urban and rural settings, providing valuable insights into variations in ​​air quality across regions with different air pollution sources and exposure profiles.

The initiative was launched in partnership with DEFRA and various other local councils including the City of Lincoln Council, South Kesteven District Council, North Kesteven District Council, Boston Borough Council, East Lindsey District Council, West Lindsey District Council, and South Holland District Council.

The primary goal of Lincolnshire’s air quality monitoring network is to raise awareness of air pollution, educate the community, and encourage actions to improve air quality and reduce health risks. Users can access and interact with the monitoring data through a user-friendly map interface on www.cleanairlincs.org.uk. 

Empowering communities with real-time air quality data

The deployment of Clarity's Node-S air pollution sensors brings significant benefits to both the customer and the community — with only a few government monitoring stations in the county, this network provides more granular, localized, and real-time air quality data.

The initiative involves the local community through awareness campaigns. The eight schools in the project have received educational sessions, leading to an awareness-raising campaign. This will be followed by evaluation sessions and an event on Clean Air Day.

There are plans to bid for continuation funding from DEFRA, potentially leading to the relocation of Nodes to other sites. This expansion aims to broaden the understanding of air pollution sources, including the contributions of specific air pollution sources like vehicular emissions, agriculture, and indoor pollution.

Clean Air Lincolnshire is making strides in creating a healthier and more informed community, thanks to the deployment of innovative new air quality monitoring technology and the collaborative efforts of various governmental bodies.