RTCA Matthew Clark - Regional Local Authority and bringing healthier air to schools

Transcript

1. Local Authority agency for action Matthew Clark, FCIEH Hertfordshire County Council East of England Clean Air Champion REACH Champion Hertfordshire County Council
2. What we’ll cover 1. LA duties • Concentrations • Pollutants 2. Where is the greatest LA relevance and agency 3. Hertfordshire regional context
3. Local Authority duties • “statutory requirement for LAs to regularly review and assess air quality in their area and take action to improve air quality when objectives set out in regulation are not me” • TG22 para 1.12 • and where “there is relevant public exposure” • TG22 para1.1, Box 1.1 • “the objectives are not relevant to places of work or other locations where members of the public do not have regular access” • TG22 para 1.74 • England thresholds and pollutants of concern haven’t changed for decades • Government target for PM2.5 but no duty on LAs to monitor
4. 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Annual average PM10 concentration (ug/m3) PM10 concentrations over time 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Urban Background Roadside NOL WHO
5. PM2.5 concentrations over time 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Urban Background 2015 2016 Roadside 2017 2018 2019 England target 2020 2021 2022 WHO guideline 2023 2024 2025
6. NO2 concentration over time (AURN Roadside) 70 60 Annual average NO2 9ug/m3) 50 40 30 20 10 0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Year
7. Regional picture • 31 AQMAs across Hertfordshire in 2018 • 9 remain in 2026 • Evidence shows revocations possible in near future • LAs are a creature of statute • No statutory obligation – reduced agency to act • Impact on monitoring networks?
8. Promoting a public health focus • Continue local authority agency through hooks: • Public Health Outcome Framework indicator D1 • Statutory roles for DPH in LAQM • Health inequality considerations – more important with English Devolution & Communities Act? • Local nuance in sources • Indoor Air Quality relevance –public health does not stop at the façade of a dwelling Public Health services are data driven • Data is crucial • Population level data – wide coverage. • Requires good contextualisation – linking to other data • Bradford preventative prescription data Hertfordshire County Council
9. Saharan Dust Plume Pollution event: March 2026 • Insight: national events can significantly impact local PM2.5 concentrations for extended time periods (hours to days) UK Daily Air Quality Index – Forecast 5th March
10. Friday 3rd July 2026 Approx. Location of fire 12.51pm 1.07pm 1.15pm 1.30pm 2.14pm
11. Why is indoor air quality (IAQ) important? • We spend 90% of our time indoors • Adversely affects children’s health and attention (SAMHE) • Disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations (CleanAir4V) • Health inequality agenda - lower socioeconomic homes, poorer IAQ (Born in Bradford) • Behaviours matter • When to ventilate considerations (ICL) • Unregulated products (candles, air fresheners, incense…) • Awareness is low!
19. How to use my property • Using healthy buildings correctly can be challenging • Understanding new systems, • Cost of running (mechanical ventilation), • Maintenance schedules • Clear instruction, support and guidance to residents could improve the household’s experience of the property and reduce costs over time. • E.g. clear instructions on bathroom doors remaining closed while in use for steamy activity and after use until Hertfordshire County Council
20. Key settings – schools and homes Look out for REACH as an extension to the 7 Health and Climate UKRI funded research hubs Hertfordshire County Council
21. Summary • Traditional statutory framework may be providing less agency for action • Public Health can fill the gap… and take things further • Can lower cost sensors answer PH needs? • Indoor air quality is a key health agenda with a strong inequality angle: Standards? Monitoring? • Key links to climate, mitigation and adaptation: • Heat • Flooding • Warmer homes works • Energy used • Schools and domestic settings are a place for action • Communication and awareness continue to be key Hertfordshire County Council
22. Matt Clark contact details: matthew.clark@hertfordshire.gov.uk