16/05/24
Several members of the community have asked why we, the Environment Agency, refer to a potential risk to short term, and not long-term health, when we issue the weekly Air Quality Reports.
This is because the weekly data we publish, as captured by our Mobile Monitoring Facilities (MMF’s), is in raw, unverified form.
The UKHSA (United Kingdom Health Security Agency) refer to long-term risk in their reporting as this data has been verified which means it has undergone quality assurance checks and subjected to calibration where possible.
We have a dedicated Air Quality page: Air Quality Monitoring | Engage Environment Agency (engagementhq.com)
You can read the latest UKHSA risk assessment, as well as previous reports by clicking on the link.
In the March/April 2024 report, UKHSA state: The risk of long-term health problems is likely to be small but cannot be excluded at this stage. UKHSA knows that some people continue to experience short-term health effects.
10/04/24
In November 2023 we explained that we had developed a data adjustment method that could allow us to adjust historic hydrogen sulphide (H2S) data, and that an independent peer review group, led by Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser was assessing this method.
In February 2024 we informed you that we expected the group’s findings to be published shortly. We understand that the report has been undergoing quality assurance. Unfortunately, no firm date has been given for its publication.
We recognise that members of the community may be feeling frustrated by the delay. Once the report is formally approved and published, we expect to outline next steps, including the possibility of adjusting historic data, and anticipate offering another virtual public meeting.
Each update reflects the Environment Agency’s position at the time it was published.
16/05/24
Several members of the community have asked why we, the Environment Agency, refer to a potential risk to short term, and not long-term health, when we issue the weekly Air Quality Reports.
This is because the weekly data we publish, as captured by our Mobile Monitoring Facilities (MMF’s), is in raw, unverified form.
The UKHSA (United Kingdom Health Security Agency) refer to long-term risk in their reporting as this data has been verified which means it has undergone quality assurance checks and subjected to calibration where possible.
We have a dedicated Air Quality page: Air Quality Monitoring | Engage Environment Agency (engagementhq.com)
You can read the latest UKHSA risk assessment, as well as previous reports by clicking on the link.
In the March/April 2024 report, UKHSA state: The risk of long-term health problems is likely to be small but cannot be excluded at this stage. UKHSA knows that some people continue to experience short-term health effects.
10/04/24
In November 2023 we explained that we had developed a data adjustment method that could allow us to adjust historic hydrogen sulphide (H2S) data, and that an independent peer review group, led by Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser was assessing this method.
In February 2024 we informed you that we expected the group’s findings to be published shortly. We understand that the report has been undergoing quality assurance. Unfortunately, no firm date has been given for its publication.
We recognise that members of the community may be feeling frustrated by the delay. Once the report is formally approved and published, we expect to outline next steps, including the possibility of adjusting historic data, and anticipate offering another virtual public meeting.
Each update reflects the Environment Agency’s position at the time it was published.
