Air quality in Hackney

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 PM_2.5).

Hackney measures air pollutant concentrations through air quality monitoring and air quality modelling.

Daily air quality levels

The London air widget below shows the current and forecast air quality levels across London including in Hackney at our automatic monitor located on Old Street based on the daily air quality index. It also provides health advice on how to reduce your exposure to air pollution depending on the air quality level.

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 PM_2.5.

Hackney operates permanent automatic air quality monitoring stations in Old Street and in Green Lanes. We have also hired a further 4 automatic monitoring stations for 2 years which we started installing from the end of 2021. View data from all Hackney’s automatic air quality monitoring stations.

Air quality monitoring locations in Hackney

Change in annual mean NO2 concentrations in Hackney over time

Changes to NO2 annual mean concentrations from 2013, 2016 and 2019

The GIF shows changes in NO2 annual mean concentrations from 2013, 2016 and 2019 using London Atmospheric Emission Inventory (LAEI) modelled data for the borough of Hackney.

• view changes to NO2 annual mean concentrations from 2013, 2016 and 2019 (GIF 4mb)

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.

Hackney also commissioned external consultants, AECOM to undertake modelling of NO2 and particulate matter in the form of PM10 and PM2.5.

Baseline air pollutant maps can be accessed below via links labelled by pollutants:

• NO2
• PM10
• PM2.5

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 (PDF 5.3mb)
• AQAP matrix 2021 – 2025 (PDF 1.5mb)

What we’re doing about air quality

• air quality and planning
• environmental permits for pollution prevention and control
• solid fuel burning
• improving air quality by supporting sustainable transport
• raising awareness about air quality and working with others
• air quality and climate change
• air quality action plan and reports

See our air quality action plan for more details on how we are improving air quality across the borough.