iv UK Focus - Air Monitoring A Step Closer to Cleaner Air
With concern for the environment growing with every passing year, never before has there been a greater demand for cleaner air. Environmentalists and the general public alike are becoming increasingly knowledgeable about the air we breathe, so it’s no surprise that interest in the levels of particulate matter (PM) in ambient air is higher than ever.
Traditionally, the government and local authorities have measured for PM10 and, if particulates have exceeded the recommended levels, have taken action to reduce emissions by the relevant means, such as traffic calming measures or restrictions. But lately, there has been a directive from the European parliament in Brussels which has led a move towards the measurement of even lower levels of particulate matter. Measurement of PM2.5 is quickly becoming the norm and, as such, local authorities are looking for air quality monitoring equipment that can measure for this particulate level effectively.
Air quality monitoring experts Enviro Technology have a range of both PM10 and PM2.5 systems designed to accurately measure levels in ambient air. Two PM2.5 analyser manufacturers have now successfully completed the UK equivalent PM2.5 summer trials, making them valuable additions to ET’s impressive armoury. Enviro Technology (UK) is the sole representative in the UK for both Met One, which produces the BAM1020, and FAI, makers of the SWAM 5A.
FAI also completed the PM10 trials, and with three previous data sets from the German TuV, the analyser is now fully approved under MCERTS for PM2.5. The BAM1020 analyser, one of the best-selling monitors in the country, already has PM10 approval in the UK. Enviro Technology’s technical director Mike Webley said: “ET has always supported DEFRA equivalence programmes. We look forward to receiving orders from both DEFRA and from local authorities as both of these analysers are already in manufacture with no changes planned which would affect these approvals.”
Reader Reply Card no 225 Mobile Pollution Monitors to be Trialled Across the UK
Scientists will transform pedestrians, cyclists, buses and cars into mobile wireless sensors as part of a demonstration of new ways of measuring air quality. Researchers will show transport authority and industry representatives how small mobile sensors could improve how air quality in urban areas is monitored and managed.
"There is a lot that we do not know about air quality in our cities and towns because the current generation of large stationary sensors don't provide enough information," says project Director Professor John Polak, from the Centre for Transport Studies at Imperial College London. "We envisage a future where hundreds and thousands of mobile sensors are deployed across the country, to improve the way we monitor, measure and manage pollution in our urban areas."
Scientists will deploy three new types of sensors in the demonstration, measuring multiple types of traffic emissions and noise pollution. The team will receive data from 100 sensors deployed in South Kensington, Leicester, Gateshead and Cambridge to test how they operate from different locations. The new sensor technology means that researchers can now measure and model air quality in unprecedented detail to improve their understanding about pollution hotspots and analyse the factors such as bad urban design that contribute to poor air quality. The scientists will also model pollution clouds in 3-D, by attaching sensors to traffic lights and street lamps. They aim to understand how it forms, lingers and dissipates in high emission zones. The team hope this will lead to insights about whether, for example, poor signalling is causing traffic congestion which contributes to reduced air quality in the area.
The scientists will deploy sensors that will measure up to five traffic pollutants simultaneously including nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxides. Researchers have equipped the sensors with ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy technology, which uses ultraviolet light to detect pollutants in the atmosphere. This means researchers can take air quality measurements at 5 second intervals, which is fast enough to allow deployment on moving cars and buses. These sensors will be attached to vehicles driving around South Kensington.
Another type of sensor will be attached to pedestrians and cyclists to measure the pollution that they are exposed to as they move around. These sensors are small enough to fit into a pocket and can detect car pollutants and other contaminants including carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke. The sensors utilize the wearer's mobile phone to transmit data which enables the wearer to monitor pollution levels around them.
In addition, the team will install sensors to analyse the link between traffic congestion and levels of pollution in targeted locations such as pedestrian crossings, traffic intersections, industrial areas and motorways. These sensors will measure noise and air pollutants and use ultrasound technology, where high frequency sound is bounced off cars, to count traffic driving past. They will be located at South Kensington, Gateshead and Leicester. The air quality measurements and the location of each mobile sensor will be tracked on Google maps.
The Mobile Environmental Sensing System Across Grid Environments (MESSAGE) initiative is led by Imperial College London and brings together internationally leading specialist research groups in the fields of e-Science, transport, sensors and communications technologies from the Universities of Cambridge, Leeds, Newcastle and Southampton. The three year project is jointly funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Department for Transport.
Reader Reply Card no 226 N-Tox N2O
N-Tox is a patented nitrification toxicity monitoring system that provides early warning of activated sludge failure and consequent wastewater treatment works breakdown, and helps prevent ammonia pollution of the aqueous environment. The product detects nitrous oxide (N2O), a harmful greenhouse gas with global warming potential almost 300 times that of carbon dioxide.
New Range of Application Specific Sampling Kits to Aid COSHH Compliance
To help users determine which sampling equipment they require in order to undertake specific sampling regimes for the COSHH legislation, Casella (UK) have developed a range of specific sampling kits. The first of these include: An organic solvent sampling kit aimed at Chemical and Industrial users.
The kit contains all the equipment and sampling accessories required to undertake sampling for the majority of organic solvents, either onto charcoal tubes or grab samples into Tedlar bags. The kit also includes an accurate dry flow meter for accurate flow calibration.
Kits for dust monitoring: One aimed specifically for Construction, another for Woodworking Industries. The kits contains a Microdust Pro real time dust meter and Apex sampling pump, with all relevant sampling heads and filters for undertaking personal and area sampling for dusts and fumes. This kit will allow the site occupational health and safety managers to assess compliance with the COSHH and environmental legislation.
The kits will be rolling out over the next few weeks and there are special introductory prices on offer until the end of
March 2008. Gary Noakes Senior Product Manager says: “As well as supplying the best UK manufactured sampling equipment to the market, our new application specific sampling kits will offer even greater value sampling solutions for our customers”.
Reader Reply Card no 227
ADC Gas Analysis Ltd. Unit 35
Hoddesdon Industrial Centre Pindar Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 0FF Tel No: +44(0)1992 478600 Fax No: +44(0)1992 478938 Web:
www.adc-analysers.com
Water Innovate Limited Cranfield Innovation Center, University Way, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0BT Tel No: +44(0)1234 756054 Fax No: +44(0)1234 752514 Web:
www.waterinnovate.co.uk Email:
n-tox@waterinnovate.co.uk
Critical early-warning device Real time response
Robust, non-invasive technique Simple, low cost technology Innovate design No expensive consumables
For immediate information on products featured in this issue Please email us today!
info@iet-pub.com Reader Reply Card no 228 IET Annual Buyers Guide 2009
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