Borough council in Leicestershire instals air quality monitors at two primary schools to raise awareness of pollution and its harms to health
Oadby & Wigston Borough Council (OWBC) has installed air quality monitors at two local primary schools to measure levels of two dangerous airborne pollutants: the coarse inhalable particulate matter PM10 and the finer PM2.5.
Pupils at Launde Primary School with Cllr Jasvir Chohan, Mayor of Oadby & Wigston, photo courtesy of OWBC
The devices will monitor levels of these pollutants in areas surrounding Parkland Primary School in South Wigston and Launde Primary School in Oadby. The Zephyr® Lite devices were supplied by the Leicester-based company EarthSense and paid for by OWBC through central government funding.
With the sensors now installed, pupils at both schools having been learning to collect and interpret the data as part of wider discussions of why air quality is important and ways they can help to improve it through actions such as how they travel to and from school.
Representatives from OWBC, including Cllr Jasvir Chohan who is Mayor of Oadby & Wigston, visited Launde Primary School to give a special presentation to pupil there. The mayor also spoke to pupils in Years 5 and 6 who had been appointed as ‘Eco Warriors’ and Road Safety Officer. There was an enthusiastic response.
Aaron, who is in Year 5, says: ‘A cleaner planet begins with better choices. Cars near schools make bad air, and less cars make good air. Choose health, choose walking and let fresh air be everywhere.’
Sireen, in Year 6, adds: ‘It is important we keep the air we breathe clean because air pollution like car fumes is bad for growing children and all the people around the world.’
Anagha, in Year 5, says: ‘Air pollution is making the earth prematurely grey!’
Cllr Jasvir Chohan, Mayor of Oadby & Wigston, adds: ‘Parkland Primary School and Launde Primary School were chosen for this project as we have data which shows they are both located in areas with poor air quality compared to other parts of the borough.
‘Of course the problem is far wider than school traffic alone, but by introducing the topic to children we can spark conversations and get the whole family talking about steps they can take to make a difference, whether that be walking to school, ditching the car for shorter journeys or exploring public transport options.
‘Air pollution has very real and measurable consequences on peoples’ health, and it is so important that we introduce this topic to our young people so we can all do our bit to build a greener future.’
Tom Hall, Chief Executive Officer at EarthSense, says: ‘We’re proud to be working alongside one of our local councils and to have the opportunity to utilise our new Zephyr® Lite sensors at the primary schools. This will help the council to empower its school communities towards clearer air initiatives through education, visibility and accessible air quality data.’
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