Agenda item

Paul Clift, Environmental Health Manager gave a presentation on Air Quality.

In the presentation and discussion the following points were made:

·         The National Air Quality Strategy was introduced in 1997.

·         The first Air Quality Action Plan was drawn up in 2003.

·         The Air Quality Strategy 2014-17 was in place.

·         Particulate Matter (PM) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) were the main pollutants.

·         The air quality in Islington had improved and had been complying with the PM 10 limit for several years. However the NO2, although within compliance of daily limits, exceeded the annual mean at measured sites.

·         Since the air quality scrutiny, more work had been undertaken on lobbying for cleaner buses, working with schools and reducing exposure.

·         Funding had been received for a schools programme with Haringey and Hackney. Work had taken place in three schools in each of the boroughs. In Islington these were Montem, Grafton and Ambler. Walking information had been produced and work had taken place with the children to help them understand more about air quality and how to reduce their exposure.

·         Work had taken place to engage businesses and community groups.

·         A Car Free Day would be held in September.

·         There was a £300,000 commitment from the Mayor’s Fund for an air quality project in Archway.

·         The council was looking to install electric hooks up on the canal and introduce more electric charging points.

·         The new London Mayor had announced a formal policy consultation on air quality and had indicated that the ultra low emission zone could be extended. If it was extended, it would cover Islington.

·         Air Pollution Exposure in London had identified 20 schools in London with the highest exposure. This included four Islington schools.

·         Biomass could result in carbon reduction but did not help air quality.

·         DEFRA had submitted best projections of NO2 limits being reached by 2020 across the UK and in London by 2025.

·         The borough had two monitoring stations – one at the Ecology Centre and the other on Holloway Road. In addition there were diffusion tubes at sites around the borough.

·         Air pollution was worse in the south of the borough than in the north.

·         The introduction of 20mph roads had not had a significant impact on air quality but it had helped encourage a change of behaviour, with more people walking and cycling.

·         Part of Seven Sisters Road was a NO2 focus area.

·         A member of the public reported concerns about barbecuing on Highbury Fields.  A study had been done with Kings College as residents were concerned about the health impacts, particularly on the vulnerable including the elderly and young children. Measurements were taken on a weekend when there were lots of barbecues taking place and high levels of pollutants were recorded. The officer advised that the figures a snapshot but this was a different way of measuring to the way it was measured across the borough which made it hard to compare. However they did not dismiss that there could be an effect on air pollution. Public Health had concluded the levels of PM2.5 had been high but confirmed that the figures could not be compared to those produced across the borough as they were measured differently.

·         A member who had Highbury Fields in her ward stated that she received questions from concerned residents. She asked that Public Health provide her with a written assurance that there was no serious risk to public health from barbecues taking place if this was the case.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the presentation be noted.

2)    That the committee be provided with information on the progress towards Silver FORs accreditation, changes to the fleet, the fuel used by Car Clubs and levels of personal car ownership.

3)    That Public Health be asked to provide a written assurance that there was no serious risk to public health from barbecues taking place if this was the case.

4)    That a session on barbecuing in parks be arranged for a future meeting.