Air quality: policies, proposals and concerns
The UK Government as described poor air quality as “the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK” as it launched a briefing note giving an overview of all laws, governance and enforcement arrangements now that the country is no longer a member of the EU. Following Brexit, a number of internationally agreed laws […]
New air quality research offers breakthrough
A new study has shown that low cost sensors and a new form of analysis can be used in certain “complex urban environments” to determine air quality and the implications for the surrounding areas. Research undertaken by academics at the University of Birmingham “provides an important breakthrough towards the wider and more comprehensive use of source […]
Air pollution can damage health from pre-birth to old age – report
A new research report shows air pollution can damage health ‘before birth through to old age’. The report was commissioned by the Greater London Authority through Imperial Projects and carried out by researchers from Imperial College London’s Environmental Research Group who analysed the findings of a range of key studies. Their review focused on the “serious and life-limiting risks of […]
Air quality impacts wellbeing, study indicates
UK workers believe the quality of the air inside their building has a direct impact on their health and wellbeing, a new study reveals. A total of 94% of UK respondents in a survey agreed with the issue as the importance of indoor air quality has come to the fore due to the connections made […]
Hotel air quality now a guest priority
Improving air quality in hotels has become a priority for operators since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic – and those venues promoting positive health and wellbeing are securing premium rates as guests value the focus on clean air facilities. Creating healthier indoor environments became an essential feature of opening up countries after initial lockdowns, […]
Toddler death shows need for good indoor ventilation
The death of a two-year-old boy from the effects of living in a flat with extensive mould should be “a defining moment for the housing sector” and highlights the importance of proper ventilation in buildings to improve indoor air quality. Inappropriate levels of ventilation and subsequent growth of fungus and spores can lead to significant […]
‘World’s densest’ network of air quality sensors to be installed in Camden
Camden Council in London has unveiled plans to install 250 advanced air quality sensors in a bid to improve public health and wellbeing. The local authority has partnered with air quality monitoring company AirLabs to install the ‘Airnode’ sensors, which provide real time data on air quality levels. Unlike existing sensors, the devices are capable […]
National Clean Air Day June 17
The difference clean air can make to children’s lives will be the focus of this year’s National Clean Air Day on June 17th after research revealed reducing air pollution levels could improve children’s learning. A report by the Global Action Plan, the Philips Foundation and University of Manchester indicated that reducing levels of air pollution […]
WELL Building standard certification service now available
If there is one thing the past year’s focus on the COVID-19 crisis has brought to the public’s attention, it’s the importance of health and mental wellbeing. Comparatively few people, however, will be aware that there is actually a WELL Standard for developers to follow to enhance their buildings and their contribution to the wellbeing […]
Call for more air quality information to help change behaviour
Almost 90% of people in a UK survey on air quality said the public does not enough information on air pollution – with more than 80% saying a greater awareness would make them try to minimise their negative impact. Almost three quarters of the 4,063 respondents to a survey conducted by energy supplier E.ON wanted […]
New Director in key air quality role
Syntegra has appointed a new Director of Air Quality to boost company credentials in this key area of business. Mark Chapman has managed technical and business development for some of the largest teams of specialist air quality consultants in the UK. A qualified Chartered Environmentalist, Mark provides specialist environmental assessments, such as air quality and […]
£1bn Salix funding announced and Syntegra call to action for additional cash to match £450m German ventilation fund
UK grants are available to businesses and homeowners to reduce carbon footprint and boost the green economy in the current crisis, and more recently the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy launched a £1bn Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The scheme will also support the Government’s net-zero and clean growth goals and will be delivered […]
Call to reduce dangerous levels of air pollution around schools
More than a quarter of the UK’s schools, nurseries and colleges are in areas with ‘dangerously high’ levels of air pollution, new research reveals. A total of 8,549 educational establishments – 27% – are located in areas where annual fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels are higher than World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Asthma UK and […]
Poor air quality still more of a threat to life than coronavirus
My head was turned by a headline I spotted last week during my routine media scans proclaiming that poor air quality is a greater risk to human health than the coronavirus. My research background and day job tell me that’s nothing new – I’ve long known air pollution is a mass killer the word over. […]
New service launched: Building Services Health Check – Get Britain Back to Work
With the understandable focus on health and hygiene as the UK gingerly steps out of lockdown and gets back to work, we are delighted to offer customers a new ‘Building Services Health Check’ service. This new service is mainly focusing on indoor air quality and the enhancement of workplace environment conditions – to ensure, […]
Green New Deal unveiled for London
London mayor Sadiq Khan has announced plans to spend £50m on a Green New Deal for London as part of a pledge to make the city carbon neutral by 2030. He said his plans would help improve the capital’s dangerous levels of air pollution “I’m unapologetic at how ambitious my plans are for a Green New […]
Building better biodiversity
Broad ranging measures announced as the UK Government unveiled its Environment Bill have been welcomed by the team at Syntegra which is already ahead of the game providing services which will become mandated under the new legislation. Building developments will increasingly have to be delivered in a way which protects and enhances nature. The bill, […]
Government unveils new net-zero support for buildings and ‘every single mode of transport’
The UK Government has unveiled new measures to decarbonise buildings and all modes of transport to demonstrate commitment to reaching net-zero carbon by 2050. The report indicates that the UK Government has allocated £2bn to decarbonisation projects since the amendment to the 2008 Climate Change Act was ratified, with significant amounts of funding being allocated […]
Budget 2018: The green economy announcements and reaction
In what is widely tipped to be the last budget before Brexit, the Chancellor made little mention of any major ‘green’ economic issues leaving the much-anticipated plastic tax the major announcement. Here for you to digest over a quick cuppa – not, we hope, from a disposable cup – is a round-up of key policy […]
Lower parking rates for electric vehicle drivers
London’s first ‘environmentally-friendly’ parking tariff is being introduced with discounted rates offered to drivers of electric and hybrid vehicles as an incentive to boost sustainable travel in the capital. The City of London Corporation is launching its scheme on Monday (Aug 20th) for on-street parking within the Square Mile commercial and financial district. Drivers will […]
A day in the life of a Syntegra team member
Like many companies, we invest in marketing ourselves as a fun, productive make-a-difference type of place to work.We can tell you all the corporate messages we like to think attract the right calibre of candidate to apply to work with us when we are recruiting.But actually, what better way to find out what life’s really […]
UK to publish an Environment Bill
Measures to tackle air quality will be included in a new ‘ambitious’ Environmental Bill to be launched by the UK Government, Theresa May has announced. ‘Clean air will be part of that Environment Bill,” the Prime Minister said. ‘There hasn’t been an Environment Act since 1995, and so we want to bring forward an Environment […]
From big screen to big changes – how a movie moved citizens to action against climate change
Movie-goers need no telling that this week sees the launch of the sequel to one of this century’s most talked-about Oscar-winning films. The significance of the unlikely Hollywood blockbuster, whose legacy today is still reverberating across the globe, should not be underestimated. An Inconvenient Truth charted the warnings about climate change and its imminent threat […]
School Air Quality Should be Valued
Poor indoor air quality can have a negative impact on children’s health and ability to learn. Department of Education figures show children were absent for 54.5million schooldays in England in 2014/15, mainly due to sicknesses such as colds and sore throats and schools paid out £1.26 billion to hire supply staff to cover staff sickness. […]
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