Monitoring & metering A
ir pollution is the leading cause of environment- related deaths worldwide, estimated to result in seven million premature deaths - 4.3 million from outdoor air pollution and
2.6 million from indoor pollution. It is now recognised that negative health impacts kick in at much lower levels than previously thought, and almost the entire world (99 per cent) is breathing polluted air that exceeds internationally approved limits. The most dangerous pollutant for human health is fine particulate matter (PM2.5), produced by vehicles, wood burning, industry and farming. In March 2022, the Government proposed
to set air quality limits that would reduce levels of PM2.5 to 10 micrograms per cubic metre by 2040, representing a 35 per cent reduction in population exposure, compared to 2018 levels. However, the targets fail to meet the PM2.5 concentrations recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), resulting in criticism from industry campaigners that the Government is not going far enough to tackle air pollution. As the air quality targets continue to
undergo review, industry must be prepared to assess and actively reduce site emissions.
The misalignment with WHO recommendations and widespread criticism from campaigners means companies should pre-empt the possibility of needing to go above and beyond the proposed targets. Currently, PM2.5, which includes soot and
dust, is widely spread by industry. According to the 2019 Lord Mayor’s report, construction alone is responsible for 15 per cent of all London’s particulates. The common denominator is a combination of high population density and the sheer intensity of construction and demolition activity, which is synonymous with dust. However, advances in air quality monitoring technology can help achieve the early detection of air contaminants, allowing businesses to reduce exposure for their workforce and surrounding communities.
UsIng aIr monITorIng TeCh To CUT harmfUl exposUre Air pollution measurement instruments serve multiple purposes: publishing dust information online to update the public and issuing cautionary statements if required. Having this data in real-time can ensure that the right people act when increased levels are reported and control measures can be put in place and continuously evaluated. Environmental monitoring and protecting
against potentially dangerous conditions can be difficult to manage without reliable data streams and monitoring of a site perimeter that gathers environmental data. For this reason, more and more companies are turning to boundary monitoring technology to measure the level of risk and make sure they adhere to environmental limits and guidelines, while also protecting against health hazards. Boundary monitoring refers to the use of
dedicated systems that monitor dust as well as noise and vibration, and for short-term detection of harmful contaminants in the soil around a worksite, to ensure that companies are complying with all applicable limits at work. Boundary monitoring systems are typically deployed across construction and demolition projects, environmental remediation sites, mining and quarrying, waste transfer, heavy road traffic and other places where compliance-related monitoring is required. Perimeter air monitoring is an important
component of a construction worksite, helping companies to remain compliant with control measures required for them to carry out the project, paramount as new air quality targets are anticipated to come into force. Boundary monitoring could help protect the
reputation and revenues of construction companies and other industrial firms. If
The Environment Act Air Quality Targets 2022
How can industry prepare?
Industry expert Tim Turney from Casella, a leading manufacturer of air monitoring equipment, shares insights on reducing site emissions...
38 August 2022 Instrumentation Monthly
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