Aeternum, a company that provides low-cost, unplugged sensors designed to accurately monitor air quality, has released new data showing traffic pollution levels in Glasgow, Scotland rose during the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, otherwise known as COP26.
Specifically, the data presented by Aeternum shows that levels of the air pollutant nitrogen dioxide increased by nearly a third (30%) within a mile of COP26.
Nitrogen dioxide is a product of combustion processes, with road traffic seen as the principal outdoor source of air pollutants. High levels of nitrogen dioxide can contribute to health issues, especially among children, people with asthma, and adults with heart and respiratory ailments.
Aeternum Releases New Data on COP26 Traffic Pollution
Aeternum has released new data regarding the increase in traffic pollution levels in Glasgow during COP26.
"There has been much speculation about the potential environmental impact of holding such a large global event that saw many delegates arriving and departing via modes of transport that are harmful to the environment," Aeterenum's founder, Paul Carter, said.
According to the data, nitrogen dioxide increased by almost one-third during the conference. The increase reached its peak on Nov. 8 per the data recorded by Aeterenum's sensor, which was placed under the Kingston Bridge. The area is less than a mile from the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) where COP26 was held.
Data shows that the sensor recorded an average of 48 micrograms per cubic meter of nitrogen dioxide for the day. This is 93% higher than the 2021 Air Quality Guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Throughout the duration of the two-week COP26 conference, the average concentration of nitrogen dioxide was at 34 micrograms per cubic meter. This is a 30% increase from October's average.
"By accurately monitoring hyperlocal air quality, local councils and communities can gather a clear, real-time picture of the impact of pollutants in the air local people are breathing - and make informed decisions about how best to manage them," explained Carter.
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Aeternum Supports Class of Your Own (COYO)
Aeternum deployed its air quality sensors in Glasgow to support the award-winning "Design Engineer Construct!" learning program from Class of Your Own (COYO). COYO is a social business based in the United Kingdom that focuses on the built environment to enhance secondary school STEM education.
In COYO's 2021 challenge, Design 'The COP' - The Centre for Our Planet, secondary school students were able to learn how STEM can be used to make an environmental and social impact, specifically in the construction industry.
Aeternum's sensor was able to provide participants with data that enabled them to incorporate air quality into their design considerations and develop methods to mitigate pollution in the future.
Aeternum's air quality sensor is positioned under the Kingston Bridge, less than a mile from the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) where COP26 was held. Carrying the M8 motorway through the city centre with five traffic lanes in each direction, the Kingston Bridge is one of the busiest bridges in Europe, with around 150,000 vehicles travelling across it every day.
Aeternum's sensor found the average concentration of NO₂ during the two weeks of the conference was 34 µg/m³ - an increase of 30% (8µg/m³) from October's average of 26µg/m³. The average level of NO₂ began to drop in the days following the end of the conference, falling back down to 29µg/m³ by 29th November (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Average nitrogen dioxide levels in Glasgow according to Aeternum sensor (1st Oct - 29th Nov)
Alison Watson MBE, Founder, and CEO of COYO, said: "It's so important the children and young people explore the STEM of the real world, especially something that literally impacts every breath they take! We look forward to continuing our work with Aeternum to support the DEC programme in 2022, providing schools with a great opportunity to embed this critical topic in the curriculum."
About Aeternum
Aeternum helps you make better decisions about your local environment - how much or how little pollution exists, the health of the air you breathe, and more.
We build a network of small sensors located throughout your community that run on their own power using solar power to collect and send air pollution and other key data to you wirelessly. We provide tools and analytical capabilities so that you can take positive action now to improve your environment and make it less harmful. Aeternum's microsensors are easy to install and can be quickly deployed throughout a community.
Learn more about Aeternum at https://aeternum.co/
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Written by Isabella James
