Research and analysis

Options for air quality research: monitoring, modelling and integration: summary

Published 14 December 2023

Applies to England

1. Chief Scientist’s Group report summary

The project reviewed current methods for monitoring and modelling air quality and ways of integrating these to best effect. The project aimed to evaluate aspects including practicality and usefulness for the Environment Agency to ensure that we are using the right tools to assess air quality.

1.1 Background

The Environment Agency helps to protect human health from harmful air pollutants derived from the industries we regulate. We run national air quality monitoring networks in collaboration with Defra, and we respond to major air quality incidents. To achieve this, we use various tools to monitor and predict air quality at both local and national scales and these tools need to remain up to date.

1.2 Approach

A review of current air quality assessment methods was conducted, and existing alternatives were explored. Air quality experts were surveyed, both within the Environment Agency and externally. A high-level review of research and reports was also undertaken to create a list of methods used to monitor and predict air quality. These methods were then assessed to determine which would be most appropriate for Environment Agency needs. This included a scoping review on the most relevant methods in the context of the Environment Agency’s current and future needs.  

1.3 Results

Overall, 21 different methods for assessing air quality were reviewed and the following common themes were identified that could be helpful for the air quality assessment community:

• Some of the more complex methods for combining modelling and monitoring are not widely used for regular air quality assessments. At present, measurements are often only used to approximate background pollution levels which are then used as inputs into models. More sophisticated integration techniques, like data assimilation and machine learning, which are well established in other fields, could be applied more in air quality.
• Models can be developed to assess the impact of new activities and can be applied over different time and space scales. However, achieving accurate results depends on setting models up correctly, and it is important that there is information on how best to do this. Also, model results should be calibrated and validated with actual measurements.
• Extending monitoring networks would be beneficial, especially in areas with limited data like coastal areas. Using low-cost sensors could help achieve this.
• Regularly reviewing and updating the inventories and databases related to air quality is essential, and they should be made available for others to use.
• Guidance and protocols are needed to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach to air quality assessments that are proportionate to risk.

1.4 Conclusions

Some of these methods are already being used, whereas others require more research to realise the potential of the method and make sure that they are suitable for the specific needs of the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency aims to conduct further research on these methods to inform future regulation.

1.5 Publications details

This summary relates to information from project the following project:

• Report: SC220033/R2
• Title: Options for air quality research: monitoring, modelling and integration
• December 2023
• Environment Agency’s Project Team: Vera Lucia Barbosa, Rob Kinnersley, Philippa Douglas
• Research contractor: Air Quality Consultants Ltd.

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