Measures to improve air quality in the Horsham District moved up a gear recently with the introduction of new improved air pollution sensors.
As part of a four-year initiative to trial new air quality monitoring technology, Horsham District Council has acquired three Zephyr® air pollution sensors. The sensors have been installed across the District in the existing air quality management areas of Cowfold and Storrington, and for the first time, close to industrial processes in north Horsham.
The Zephyr® sensor has been specifically designed to measure key ambient pollutants known to be hazardous to health when inhaled, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM2.5) which are reported live on a real time air pollution portal.
The sensor in north Horsham can measure other harmful pollutants that we have previously not been able to measure with our current monitoring systems.
Horsham District residents now have access to Brighton & Hove and Sussex Real-Time Air Quality Portal in which they can view air quality results from the Zephyr® units which are updated every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Data from our existing morning network continues to be available on the Sussex Air website.
The new Zephyr® monitors will improve our understanding of how pollution levels change throughout different times of the day or week and what causes these changes.
This additional data will allow more detailed modelling of air quality so we can identify the measures that will be most effective in reducing air pollution and the damage it can cause to our health and the environment.
Commenting on the new sensors, Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, Recycling and Waste Cllr Jay Mercer said:
Air pollution is the biggest environmental health risk in Europe.
As a council we are dedicated to doing all we can to prioritising good air quality for our residents and the natural environment.
I very much welcome the introduction of a new monitoring area and this investment in new monitoring technology to more accurately measure air pollution and make the results more accessible to the general public.”
The sensors have been funded by the Defra air quality grant and Brighton and Hove City Council Carbon Neutral Fund.