Air quality monitoring: working towards cleaner air in South Bank and Waterloo
South Bank and Waterloo Sustains Us is committed to creating a neighbourhood where clean air supports the wellbeing of everyone who lives, works, and visits the area. That’s why we’re proud to share that our partners, South Bank BID, Lambeth Council and Southwark Council, are monitoring air quality across the neighbourhood. This is one of the ways we are working towards improving local air quality and supporting people to make more informed, healthier choices.
Nine air quality sensors are stationed around the neighbourhood, recording real-time air pollutants every hour. This information can be found on our partners’ websites Breathe London Communities and Airly, so you can access the latest air quality information near you.
Why is air quality important?
Air quality affects how we live and breathe. While clean air supports healthy communities and allows nature to thrive, polluted air negatively impacts our health and wellbeing. Some of the most harmful pollutants include nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), both of which are linked to health problems like asthma, coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and type 2 diabetes1.
Although air pollution isn’t always visible, its effects are. Long-term exposure has been shown to increase the risk of serious health conditions, and even short-term exposure can worsen symptoms for people with existing respiratory or cardiovascular issues. Children, older adults, and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable2.
What is our local air quality?
Like many parts of central London, exposure to air pollution in South Bank and Waterloo is high and exceeds World Health Organization guidelines3. While London’s air quality is affected by a number of factors – such as weather, local geography and emissions sources from both within and outside London4 – the biggest contributors locally are from freight and deliveries, construction, damp homes, and wood burning5.
Exposure to air pollution doesn’t affect everyone equally. Air pollution is the greatest environmental risk to human health – and in Lambeth and Southwark, where many low-income households and minoritised communities live, people are more likely to be exposed to higher levels of pollution and experience its harmful effects6.
How can you play your part?
If you visit, live locally, work, or run a business in the area, there are simple ways you can help contribute to cleaner air:
If you visit, live or work in the area:
- Leave the car at home for short trips – walk, cycle, or use public transport instead. Head to your local council website for offers on free cycle training and ‘Try before you bike’ schemes. For when you have more than you can carry – like school drop-off or moving house – local business Our Bike offer cargo bikes for rent.
- Turn off your engine when parked – idling adds unnecessary pollution, particularly for the health of people nearby.
- Avoid burning – whether it’s waste, garden trimmings or firewood. Pledge to #StopWoodBurning with Lambeth Council or sign the Clean Air Pledge with Southwark Council.
- Upgrade your gas-powered boilers to electric, or find ways to improve your homes energy efficiency using the Mayor of London’s Warm Homes Local Grant.
If you run a business:
- Buy or hire low-emission vehicles and plan deliveries to avoid peak congestion times. Grants are available for plug-in and vans, and guidance is available for low emission deliveries and collections.
- Support your staff to walk, cycle or take public transport to work. Create a travel plan, and promote a Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Improve energy efficiency in your buildings and operations with help from the Carbon Trust. If you’re a small business, you might benefit from the Mayor of London’s Cleaner Heat Cashback.
To learn more about how you can support clean air locally, explore guidance and resources from Lambeth Council and Southwark Council.
Want to stay updated about clean air in South Bank and Waterloo? Get in touch using the contact form below.
References:
1 Impact on Urban Health: Health effects of air pollution
2 Ibid
3 Impact on Urban Health: Annual mean PM2.5 concentrations 2019
4 Mayor of London: Pollution and air quality
5 Impact on Urban Health: Health effects of air pollution
6 Ibid