SRI workshop promotes air quality awareness
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Published
01 May 2024
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In an effort to address air pollution awareness and empower communities, the University of East London’s Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) has hosted an engaging and interactive workshop.
Led by SRI researcher Dr Karina Corada Perez, BreathAware was designed to equip participants with knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of air quality. This interactive workshop, held as part of UEL’s inaugural Sustainable Cities Festival at the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability, kicked off with an informative presentation, shedding light on the sources, effects, and impacts of air pollution on public health and well-being.
Using their own personal pollution monitors, participants embarked on a curated route around the Docklands Campus, stopping at key locations including the Cypress DLR station, dockside, and the busy campus atrium. These stops offered live data insights into pollution levels.
The objective of the BreathAware workshop was to educate individuals and arm them with the necessary tools to mitigate risks associated with poor air quality,” said Dr Corada Perez. “Education empowers people. With knowledge, they can take charge of their health and well-being.”
Dr Corada Perez emphasised three actionable tips to reduce indoor exposure to pollutants:
- Ventilate spaces: Open windows regularly to promote air circulation and reduce indoor pollutant concentrations.
- Avoid mixing household cleaning products: Combining cleaning products can inadvertently increase indoor pollutants. Use them separately to minimise risk.
- Incorporate plants: Indoor plants serve as natural air purifiers by filtering out harmful particles through their leaves, improving air quality.
After learning more about air pollution and effective strategies, workshop attendees left feeling better prepared to protect themselves and were eager to obtain their own pollution monitors to track and reduce their exposure.
Workshop participant Poppy Cunningham, who is the Sustainability Manager for ISG UK, said, “Before this workshop, I hadn’t even considered how different types of air pollution need to be tackled if we want to make a real improvement to urban air quality. It was also great to be able to see how different air pollution monitors worked in the field.”
As awareness around air quality continues to grow, initiatives such as BreathAware, spearheaded by the SRI, play a critical role in fostering community engagement and effecting positive change. The impact of these educational efforts informs broader public health awareness and builds environmental resilience.