Air pollution may increase in larger cities due to stay-at-home workers, a report has found
A study by the think tank Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) focusing on the effect of working from home on local pollution has used computer modelling to predict that boiler use will spike by 56% this winter due to the pandemic altering work patterns.
Gas burning from boilers is a significant source of local pollution, and accounts for 21% of total NOx emissions across Greater London.
The report assumes that offices will continue to be heated for staff still required in the workplace, and NOx emissions from cars will remain the same due to the decrease of commuters on public transport.
The ECIU warns that this predicted spike in NOx emissions could threaten the UK’s legally binding air quality targets. This increase in energy use may rise NOx emissions by 12%, unravelling the last two years’ progress on reducing traffic emissions.
Furthermore, estimates suggest that energy bills will rise £32 a month on average through home working.
This report emphasises the impact of boilers on air pollution in big cities. Although unclean air from these devices do not directly kill people, it is estimated that they contribute to shortening the lives of 40,000 people in the UK, principally those who suffer from lung or heart problems.
Whilst air pollution has nationally dropped long-term, many larger cities in the UK continue to breach safe limits on harmful particulates.
Campaigners have been calling for local councils to roll our Clean Air Zones to play a role in tackling the issue.
‘Evidence shows that Clean Air Zones, alongside help and support for people to move to cleaner forms of transport, are the most effective ways to slash harmful nitrogen dioxide pollution coming out of vehicle exhausts,’ Andrea Lee of Client Earth commented.
‘The lockdown reduced levels of some pollutants but we’re racing back to exactly where we were – people’s health needs protection now more than ever.’
