Local Air Pollution – an Update
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Local Air Pollution – An Update . Local Air Pollution in 2017 – has it improved? . Citizen Science Project – The Kew Society . Cleaner Air for Schools project – LBRuT/LSx . Update on Air Quality Plans - Government, LBRuT, London Mayor Professor Roger Mason Kew Society Executive Committee Environment team WHO, EU/UK , recommend maximum levels of pollutants safe for health EU/UK WHO 3 NO2 (μg/m ) 40 40 3 PM10 (μg/m ) 40 20 3 PM2.5 (μg/m ) 25 10 Smog over London January 19th 2017 London Evening Standard Do we live in a polluted area? Annual Mean NO2 concentration 2013 Kew and Neighbouring Area Source: London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory 2013/GLA How is air pollution in the Borough of Richmond in 2017? An Overview 3 . 65 sites monitored by LBRuT for NO2. 75% of sites exceed 40 μg/m annual mean legal limit 3 . 13.2% of residents are exposed to over 40 μg NO2/m where they live – risking health . 5 sites exceed short term I hour Air Quality Objective for NO2 – risks health of all present . PM10 concentration exceeds annual mean objective on main roads and in town centres Source: LBRuT Air Quality Action Plan 2017-2022. published summer 2017 3 Pollution in Kew? Annual Mean NO2 μg/m levels for 2015 Red = Exceeds legal limit *North side 40 μg/m3 Kew Bridge/ Strand on the Green Mortlake Rd/ 55 Kent Rd 48 Kew Rd/ Walpole Ave Kew Mortlake Rd/ 48 West Hall Rd 51 Mortlake Rd/ Cemetery Gates 50 Data: Chalkers Corner LBRUT 2016 55 *Hounslow 2017 A316/Trinity Rd 67 Where do Nitrogen Oxide emissions come from in the Borough of Richmond? 600 ] 500 50% total: mainly due to diesel vehicles 2013 400 2020 300 200 100 NOx emissions per per annum emissions [Tonnes NOx 0 Source of emission D&C gas , mainly heating NRMM, non-road mobile machinery Source: London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory 2013, updated 2016/GLA Citizen Science! Kew Society members propose local sites for NO2 measurements September 2017 100 Highest level 90 * 3 in LBRuT 80 μg/m 70 60 * 50 40 * Legal limit 30 Nitrogen dioxide Nitrogen 20 10 0 Data; Kew Society NO2 diffusion tubes, analysed by Gradko International Ltd Cleaner Air 4 Schools Project Summer term 2017 Queens Church of England School Darell School East Sheen Primary School Local Air Champions . Community Volunteers . Children . Parents Cleaner Air 4 Schools Project AIMS . Educate children (and their parents) about pollution . Measure pollution in and around school . Take action about pollution, e.g. decide best route to walk to school . Inform LBRuT policy making on pollution (Scrutiny Committee) Classroom teaching Traffic and idling surveys Mapping pollution results Lichen surveys Message received – loud and clear! Darell School poster after project PM10 measurement during the Cleaner Air 4 Schools project Darell Primary School A snapshot on May 31 2017 All readings in and around school were within safe limits Data: courtesy Max Lawson, LBRuT Queens School and playground 3 Nitrogen dioxide μg/m 43 17 27 28 35 25 29 26 27 Data courtesy Max Lawson, LBRuT 0830 h -Walking routes to Queens School 3 Nitrogen dioxide μg/m 45.7 40.0 35.6 43.0 33.1 All side roads in Kew measured were less than 40 μg/m3 Data courtesy Max Lawson, LBRuT NO2 concentration decreases rapidly going away from the main road NO2 conc along Niton Rd from A316 3 45.00 40.00 ug/m 35.00 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 Corrected NO2 Corrected 10.00 5.00 0.00 0.00 25.0 59.0 94.0 126 Distance from A316 (m) A316 Darell School gate How do we compare? Richmond Source: London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations Detailed plan July 2017 UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations Heavily criticized and branded “inadequate” By . Six Council Leaders of major cities . The Mayor of London . President of the Royal College of Paediatrics . Environmental Science Academics . Federation of Small Businesses . Friends of the Earth . Client Earth . Opposition political parties . Etc.,etc. Main criticisms (1) The Plan acknowledges the problem! “The most immediate air quality challenge is tackling NO2 concentrations around roads” Comparison of emissions of NOx for different car Euro standards, by emission limit and real-world performance (grams/kilometre) But then only proposes a ban on new diesel and petrol cars by 2040! Main criticisms (2) The Plan shifts much responsibility for cleaning up UK air quality onto Local Authorities “Local authorities know their areas best and are best placed to take the lead in rectifying the problem.” . Local authorities have some legal powers, e.g. Clean Air Act 1993, but are strapped for cash . Only £250 million available to LA for improvements to road layouts, public transport, etc . LA can impose Clean Air Zones; plan discourages charging polluting vehicles entering them! Air Quality Action Plan 2017 - 2022 . The Richmond AQAP acknowledges poor air quality in many parts of the Borough . 55% of pollution is due to road transport (mostly diesel) . 4 key Focus Areas defined – Richmond Centre, Twickenham Centre, Chalkers Corner, Castlenau - need special attention . A 73% reduction in NO2 is required to achieve 40 μg/m3 at worst sites e.g. George Street! . Only radical measures could achieve this e.g. Clean Air Zones with charges for dirty vehicles - but not proposed in AQAP Richmond AQAP also has many good points e.g. Expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure . Anti-idling enforcement . Continued work with Schools re Air Quality . Continued opposition to 3rd runway . Expansion of walking & cycling infrastructure You can read the full response of The Kew Society to Richmond AQAP consultation on the website www. http://kewsociety.org/news MAYOR OF LONDON Chapter 4: Air quality London Environment Strategy DRAFT FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION AUGUST 2017 What drives the Mayor’s London Environment Strategy? . 9000+ LONDONERS die early every year because of air pollution . 20% PRIMARY SCHOOLS are in areas that breach the legal limit for NO2 (air pollution) . £3.7 BILLION the cost of air pollution to London’s economy • 2x AS LIKELY TO DIE from lung diseases if you live in deprived vs affluent areas The Strategy is a wide ranging set of proposals I will comment on:- . Phasing out of Diesel Vehicles . Ultra Low Emission Zones Source: King’s Report (2015) London Environment Strategy Phasing out diesel vehicles – achieving zero emission by 2050 2017 2018 2020 2020 2033 2037 2040 2050 New New New New All All All London ‘s Taxis Double Private Single Taxis TfL New Entire zero Decker Hire Decker PH Buses Registered Transport Buses Vehicles Buses Vehicles zero Vehicles System Hy,E,H2 zero zero zero zero zero London Environment Strategy The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) 2019 Charges for non-compliant vehicles Central ULEZ Cars, Vans £12.50/day Coach,Bus,HGV £100/day Proposed 2021 proposed Inner London ULEZ 2020 Cars, Vans Whole of £12.50/day Greater London ULEZ Coach, Bus, HGV Coach, Bus, HGV £100/day Consultation announced 30/11/17 £100/day London Borough of Richmond upon Thames What about the future? NO2 in 2013 Predicted NO2 in 2020 Kew Richmond East Sheen Mayor predicts ULEZ will decrease Nox London-wide by 20% in 2020 and 30% by 2030 Source: London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory _update April 2017/GLA Airqualitynews.com 30/11/17 .