Air quality in Hackney
Air pollution can cause many health problems with annual mortality in the UK estimated at being equivalent to 28,000 – 36,000 deaths each year.
We need to act urgently to protect the health of people living, working and spending time in Hackney by reducing the sources of air pollution.
The main sources for each air pollutant in Hackney are:
- NO2: road transport is the highest contributor, industrial and commercial sources second, and domestic heat / power and construction third
- PM10: construction is the highest contributor, road transport second and resuspension of PM10 third
- PM2.5: road transport is the highest contributor, commercial cooking second and construction third
We’re committed to ensuring that Hackney is a place for all to breathe clean air. We also want to make sure that everybody is aware of the impacts of air pollution, what the levels are within Hackney and what can be done to improve air quality.
We have a statutory duty to review and assess air quality within Hackney. This means considering the sources of pollution and the pollution levels, then comparing these to health-based air quality objectives (AQO).
The pollutants which are of greatest concern in Hackney are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5).
Hackney measures air pollutant concentrations through air quality monitoring and air quality modelling.
Air quality monitoring
Hackney’s monitoring network includes passive monitors which give us monthly averages of NO2 and 2 automatic monitoring stations which provide real-time data on levels of NO2, PM10 and PM2.5.
View monitored concentrations from our automatic monitor at Old Street. You can find all other monitored concentrations in our annual status report.
Air quality monitoring locations in Hackney
Breathe London
Breathe London is a network of real time air quality monitors which spans across the whole of London, funded by the Mayor of London. The monitors record both levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and PM2.5 particulates.
In Hackney there are two monitors one located at William Patten Primary School, Stoke Newington and one on Amhurst Road outside Downs Estate. The exact location of these sensors as well as the monitored data can be seen on the Breathe London map.
Air quality modelling
Hackney also uses air quality concentrations taken from the London atmospheric emissions inventory which are predicted using modelling software.
View pollution heatmaps of the borough.
Air quality action plan 2021-2025
Due to exceedances of the objectives for NO2 and PM10, Hackney has declared a borough-wide air quality management area (AQMA).
We are, therefore, required to have an air quality action plan (AQAP) under London local air quality management (LLAQM).
Our air quality action plan 2021-2025 outlines 47 actions we’ll take to improve air quality in Hackney over the years up to, and including, 2025.
- AQAP 2021 -2025 (to follow)
- AQAP matrix 2021 – 2025 (to follow)
What we’re doing about air quality
Land, Air, Water
Address
Telephone
- Air quality020 8356 4673
- Contaminated land020 8356 4827
- Fax020 8356 4980
Opening times
- Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. Please contact us to book an appointment.