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East London councils launch online air quality tool

26/02/24
Abstract - Air quality gauge inside magnifying glass
Image source: istock.com/Khanchit Khirisutchalual

Three local authorities in east London have made an online tool available for residents to monitor their local air quality.

Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets have worked together with developer Openkit on the design of Air Airware, which provides localised information on levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide in the air.

Each has also taken input from local residents over the past six months for the design of the tool.

Air Aware uses a web based platform so it can be viewed on a mobile device, laptop or desktop computer, and includes an interactive map, an assistant for questions, analysis and visual learning, and information hub and a community page with local news on air quality.

Data sources

The sources of the data are Purple Air, London Air and AirQualityEngland and it is powered by Breathe London.

The tool also brings together relevant information from the participating boroughs, and users can register to receive information tailored to their locality and interests.

The boroughs said the tool is the first of its kind for London.

Cllr Mete Coban, Hackney’s cabinet member for climate change, environment transport, said: “Air Aware has been developed with funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and is one of many ways the borough is taking action on air pollution, which are all contained in the borough’s Air Quality Plan. 

“The council has an extensive network of monitors collecting data on pollutants and this tool can help to improve public access to this data.”

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