Air Quality Monitor Barton

A short-term air quality monitor has been in place in Barton on New Road opposite the school from December 2023 to April 2024. Barton Parish Council has received the report that details and analyses the data (attached). The Executive Summary below is taken from the report. The monitor does highlight differences in pollution levels during school term and school holidays and also shows up short-term events probably caused by bonfires or log burning. There are several simple changes we can make to pollution levels to reduce the impact on our children and those with air pollution-related health conditions such as asthma. Please read the report.

Executive Summary
Air quality was monitored in the South Cambridgeshire village of Barton using Zephyr monitoring technology during the period December 2023 to April 2024 as part of a study into air quality around primary schools. Monitoring was carried out by South Cambridgeshire District Council outside Barton Primary School, as it is recognised that children are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution. It was found that concentrations of the main pollutants, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, were comfortably below the national objectives for annual mean concentrations and there were no exceedances of the short-term objectives, representing good air quality. Annual means for the more stringent World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values were also achieved for nitrogen dioxide and PM10 although PM2.5 levels slightly exceeded the WHO guideline values, which was expected given that over 90% of the world’s population live in locations where this is exceeded. This is in line with long-term concentrations measured across the South Cambridgeshire district and reflects the rural nature of the area. Differences were seen between the school holiday periods compared to term time for nitrogen dioxide, with generally lower concentrations in the holidays, which could be reflective of the reduced volume of school traffic during the holiday periods. Short term particulate matter pollution events were identified by comparing results to other local monitoring points. It is likely that these are caused by domestic solid fuel burning. This demonstrates that domestic solid fuel burning can have a significant
short term localised impact. South Cambridgeshire residents can help to improve local air quality through actions such as reducing idling of car engines and increasing walking and cycling where possible. Reducing solid fuel burning and only burning Woodsure Ready to Burn certified wood will also help to reduce particulate pollution.