Research and analysis

Options for air quality research: drivers of future changes: summary

Published 14 December 2023

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/options-for-air-quality-research-drivers-of-future-changes/options-for-air-quality-research-drivers-of-future-changes-summary

1. Chief Scientist’s Group report summary

This project aimed to identify significant drivers of future changes in air quality that are likely to affect regulation by the Environment Agency and has shortlisted and summarised topics that may need research to support regulation.

1.1 Background

Air pollution can harm human health and the environment. As industries and new technologies develop, and others decline, the releases of substances to atmosphere will also change over time, therefore changing the nature and make up of air pollution in the UK. In regulating the industrial-scale sources of air pollution we need to be able to predict how air pollution may change in the future, so we can regulate them appropriately to protect human health and the environment.

1.2 Approach

The project conducted a study to identify the most likely factors that could affect air pollution in the UK in the future. This was done by surveying a range of air quality experts and conducting a high-level review of research and reports to identify topics with potentially high impact on future air quality. A scoring system was developed to rank the topics to identify the most important and relevant ones. Finally, a scoping review was conducted on the priority topics to identify where there are knowledge gaps and options for potential future research.

1.3 Results

The scoping review looked at the different types of air pollution and likely sources, scales and timeframes for effect. This included any evidence there is to show how these types of air pollution could harm human health or the environment. The review was able to identify what some of the implications are for the Environment Agency and for its research plans.

The study identified nine higher priority topics:

  • Deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies
  • Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Bioaerosols
  • Cold air drainage of air pollutants in katabatic flow
  • Ethylene Oxide emissions from medical sterilisation facilities
  • Battery manufacture and disposal
  • Urban impacts of ammonia emissions
  • Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from hydrogen combustion

1.4 Publication details

This summary relates to information from project SC220032, reported in detail in the following output:

  • Report: SC220032
  • Title: Options for air quality research: drivers of future changes
  • December 2023
  • Environment Agency’s Project Team: Vera Lucia Barbosa, Roger Timmis, Philippa Douglas
  • Research contractors: Aether Ltd and Air Quality Consultants

This project was commissioned by the Environment Agency’s Chief Scientist’s Group, which provides scientific knowledge, tools and techniques to enable us to protect and manage the environment as effectively as possible.

Enquiries: research@environment-agency.gov.uk.

© Environment Agency

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