Pollution monitoring data (FOI-404)
Customer
To provide pollution monitoring data recorded by the Pollution Monitoring Unit on Lansdowne Drive, E8 (adjacent to London Fields), for the period 1st May 2018 to 30th June 2018 inclusive. A number of local residents are affected by pollution linked to the barbecue area and are concerned that they are exposed to dangerous levels of pollution especially pm2.5 and pm10 particles. The Council has been asked in the past for data but due to Staff turnover, hardware and software failure, the Council has been able to supply this data for the past few years. The equipment was calibrated and checked last year and so the Council should be in a good position to provide this data now. As this pollution represents an ongoing health concern delaying the release of this information until after the barbecue season is not helpful for those who need the data now, in order to look after their health needs.
Message from Hackney Council
Dear Ms
Re: Freedom of Information Request.
Thank you for your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, received 2 July 2018. Your request has been considered and our response is in bold below.
You requested the following:
To provide pollution monitoring data recorded by the Pollution Monitoring Unit on Lansdowne Drive, E8 (adjacent to London Fields), for the period 1st May 2018 to 30th June 2018 inclusive.
A number of local residents are affected by pollution linked to the barbecue area and are concerned that they are exposed to dangerous levels of pollution especially pm2.5 and pm10 particles.
The Council has been asked in the past for data but due to Staff turnover, hardware and software failure, the Council has been able to supply this data for the past few years.
The equipment was calibrated and checked last year and so the Council should be in a good position to provide this data now.
As this pollution represents an ongoing health concern delaying the release of this information until after the barbecue season is not helpful for those who need the data now, in order to look after their health needs.
The Council’s Response
In response to your in which you requested information regarding pollution monitoring data recorded by the Pollution Monitoring Unit on Lansdowne Drive, E8 (adjacent to London Fields), for the period 1st May 2018 to 30th June 2018, please see below.
An Environmental Report for the unit (Osiris TNO2452) is attached as Attachement 1. Within the report the daily average (24h hour mean) for PM10 and PM2.5 are compared to the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI). The DAQI describes air pollution levels and gives health advice in the form of recommended actions that may be taken according to the level of air pollution (see Attachment 2). Where these levels have been exceeded they are highlighted in red within the Environmental Report.
During the monitoring period 1st May 2018 to 30th June 2018, four PM10 and one PM2.5 24 hour means were recorded as being of "moderate concentration". All other reported concentrations were recorded as being a "low concentration". The majority of the moderate concentrations recorded occurred during London wide "moderate pollution" days (26th May and 28th May) which would indicate that the local monitoring was strongly influenced by the higher than normal background PM10 concentrations on these days.
Based on these results National Air Quality Objectives for PM10 would be met at this location and it is possible that more stringent World Health Organisation guideline values for PM10 and PM2.5 would also be met.
If you have any questions please contact Miar Crutchley on 020 8356 1296.
Appeals & Complaints Procedure
If you are dissatisfied with this response and wish to appeal, please write to the Information Management Team, informationmanagement@hackney.gov.uk and this will be dealt with through our Internal Review procedure.
Your request for an internal review should be submitted to us within 40 working days of receipt by you of this response. Any such request received after this time will only be considered at the discretion of the Council.
If you are still not satisfied following the Internal Review, you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at the contact details provided below.
Information Commissioner"s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545 700
Yours sincerely
Information Management Team
Message from Hackney Council
Hello,
Thanks for your request for a more detailed breakdown of data.
In response to your request for "the release of either the raw data for the period in question, or supply processed data but in a form which allows levels of pm2.5 and pm10 to be ascertained on an hour-by-hour basis rather than just the 24 hour averages" please find attached Environmental Reports for the Osiris unit TNO2452 showing raw 15 minute (attachment 1) and hourly average (attachment 2) data for PM2.5 and PM10. The data gap at the beginning of May 2018 was due to the monitor being away for its annual service and calibration.
The monitoring data was previously provided as a 24h hour mean to allow comparison to the health based Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI), National Air Quality Objectives and World Health Organisation Guidelines.
You may be aware that due to current weather conditions BBQs have been banned in London Fields on the advice of London Fire Brigade and it is unlikely that this position will change throughout the rest of the summer.
If you have any questions please contact Miar Crutchley on 020 8356 1296.
If you are still not satisfied with the response following this Internal Review, you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner.
https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/email/
Information Commissioner"s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
0303 123 1113
Kind regards
Information Management
ICT Services
London Borough of Hackney
Page updated: 29/07/2021 15:12:11