The launch of the Westminster Commission for Road Air Quality’s Air Monitoring Working Party on 11th August was the first of six working party launches.
The meeting was attended by industry experts and academics specialising in air monitoring, including EarthSense, Wijs-Air, and Gramms Barrier Solutions and hosted by Professor Roland Leigh, Chair of Air Monitoring. Professor Leigh has specialised in air quality at the University of Leicester for 17 years and is serving as Technical Director for EarthSense.
Professor Roland Leigh set out the key aims and objectives for the Air Monitoring Working Party, which will create materials, thought processes, structures, and guidance that can inform the next few years of development in the field of air monitoring.
Among the issues raised at the first meeting was that of car air filters. Ralph Wilce, Director of Wijs-Air, specialises in the periodic technical inspection (PTI) of particulate filters on vehicles and believes car air filters should be checked more thoroughly during MOTs. He estimates this issue accounts for a significant proportion of particulate pollution, and it is currently going unmonitored. He added that WCRAQ provides an excellent platform to increase awareness of some of the major sources of pollution and the steps available to alleviate the problem.
‘Through a team effort, we can make a real difference on an issue that affects the health of our country,’ added Barry Sheerman, head of the Westminster Commission for Road Air Quality. ‘Air quality transcends political divides as an issue that requires cross-party collaboration. Speaking together with one loud voice will inform policies.’
Steve Barnes, Business Development Manager of Gramm Barrier Systems, explained that he joined WCRAQ to collaborate with like-minded people to make a difference in combatting air pollution across the nation. ‘Helping the UK to raise the bar in innovation and techniques could help other countries with this global issue.’
If you want to raise your voice on the issue of air monitoring, or any of our other five working parties, join WCRAQ today and see what difference you can make.
