News archive 2004

Londonair - New London Air Quality Network Internet Pages

10 Aug 2004, PR 46/04

The Environmental Research Group (ERG) at King's College London today launches the new London Air Quality Network Internet pages.

www.londonair.org.uk

This easy to use, new Londonair Internet site displays maps showing the air pollution across London, updated each hour.

The site development has been sponsored by the Mayor of London and the Environment Agency. The new web site disseminates measurements funded by local authorities in and around London.

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said:
"I am delighted to support the upgrading of the London Air Quality Network web pages. This is a valuable resource for London. It enables Londoners to find out about pollution levels where they live and supports my work to improve air quality in London."

Visitors to the new web site can view:

• Air pollution measurements in their own area by simply selecting their local authority or by entering their postcode.
• ‘Real time’ measurements updated each hour
• Daily maps of pollution measurements across London for the last 10 years.
• Animations of pollution incidents allowing users to view hour-by-hour changes in pollution concentration.
• New maps and enquiry pages showing the attainment of statutory air pollution Objectives for any chosen period during the last 10 years.
• ‘A Guide to Air Pollution’ to understand what it all means.

The launch of this new site will increase the public availability of air pollution information, thereby raising the public awareness of air pollution issues and the air quality management activities of local councils, the Mayor of London and the Environment Agency.

Gary Fuller, Air Quality Manager in the Environmental Research Group at King’s College London emphasised that, “The new Londonair web site is a significant step forward in the speedy provision of air pollution measurements to Londoners. In particular, the new pages have greatly increased functionality targeted at interested members of the public, council officers and researchers”.

Phil Ackerley, Environment Agency Strategy Manager, said, “The Environment Agency is pleased to sponsor this web site as through our powers in pollution control we have an important role in working with GLA, London Boroughs and other organisations to deliver the Mayor's Air Quality Strategy.”

Notes to editors

London Air Quality Network
The London Air Quality Network (LAQN) was originally formed in 1993 and is operated and managed by King’s College London. The LAQN brings together the air quality monitoring activities of the local councils in, and around, London to provide the overall perspective necessary to understand and manage air pollution in the region.

King’s College London
King’s College London is one of the oldest and largest colleges of the University of London with 13,800 undergraduate students and some 5,300 postgraduates in ten schools of study. The College had 24 of its subject-areas awarded the highest rating of 5* and 5 for research quality, demonstrating excellence at an international level. King’s is in the top group of five universities for research earnings with income from grants and contracts of more than £93 million (2002-2003) and has an annual turnover of £320 million. King’s is a member of the Russell Group, a coalition of the UK’s major research-based universities.

Environmental Research Group
The Environmental Research Group (ERG) at King’s College London was formally part of the Kent based South East Institute of Public Health (SEIPH). SEIPH was formed in 1991, as part of the National Health Service and became part of the University of London in 1993. The Environmental Research Group is now part of the School of Health and Life Sciences within King’s.

Mayor of London
In his position as Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone promotes economic development and wealth creation, social development, and the improvement of the environment. The Mayor sets out strategic plans and policies for the city covering a wide variety of areas including a range of environmental issues such as biodiversity, ambient noise, waste disposal and air quality. The Mayor's Air Quality Strategy sets out a comprehensive range of measures aimed at improving the quality of London's air. Further details can be found at www.london.gov.uk

Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is one of several organisations in England and Wales that are involved in improving air quality. The Environment Agency plays a major role by regulating the release of pollutants in air from over 2000 of the larger or more complex industrial processes. Further details regarding the Environment Agency can be found at: www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Further information
Gary Fuller and Ben Barratt, Environmental Research Group, King’s College London.
Tel: 020-7848 4022, email: airquality@erg.kcl.ac.uk

Public Relations Department, King's College London
Tel: 020-7848 3202, email: pr@kcl.ac.uk

Environment Agency press office, Tel: 0118 953 5555

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Tel: 020-7848 3202  Fax: 020-7848 3739  Email: pr@kcl.ac.uk