WORK is underway to install a new network of sensors to boost air quality monitoring outside homes, schools, hospitals and sports centres.

Later this year, near-live data from the sensors will be made publicly available online by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) so people can see how clean the air in their neighbourhood is.

The 90 sensors, supplied, installed and monitored by Earthsense, will provide the first region-wide monitoring of microscopic particles given off by things like wood burners, vehicle tyres and factories.

Tiny particulates are said to exacerbate long term health conditions, including asthma, coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.

Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chairperson, Richard Parker, visited Dudley to see one of the new sensors being installed near to Pegasus Academy ahead of International Clean Air Day (Saturday September 7).

The Mayor said: “On my first day as Mayor, I met a group of schoolchildren who made a powerful case for more action to tackle air pollution to improve their health and protect their futures.

“These new sensors are just the latest tool in our fight against pollution and will give our communities real-world information about the quality of the air they are breathing. That information will also tell them the main sources of pollution in their area and what they can do to improve air quality.”

Kevin Tranter, chief operating officer at Dudley Academies Trust, which includes Pegasus Academy, said: “Our school is based on a main road so it’s really important our learners, their parents and our staff are aware of air quality. Our learners have rightly identified air quality as among the sustainability and environmental issues that are really important to them.

“As part of our sustainability strategy, we have eco councils in all of the schools across our trust to help identify the issues and develop initiatives that respond to them. We’ve recently removed single use plastics from our catering and are absolutely supportive of other measures like these new air sensors so our school can continue to contribute solutions to addressing sustainability.”

The WMCA successfully applied for £1.5 million of Government funding to increase the air quality monitoring that is already carried out by local councils.

The data will be used to better understand pollution trends and levels to target investment where it is most needed and to support behaviour change campaigns and work to raise awareness about the health impacts of pollution.

Maddy Dawe, regional air quality lead at Asthma + Lung UK, said it’s hoped the data gleaned will be used to help provide cleaner air to help protect children’s lung health and vulnerable communities.

She said: “It’s fantastic to see the first air quality sensor of the new network installed outside Pegasus Academy, so air quality can be monitored in real time.

“Gathering data is crucial to improve our understanding of air pollution hotspots, so that urgent measures to tackle toxic air can be put in place. “Children are most vulnerable to the impacts of toxic air as it stunts the growth of their lungs, which can damage their health for the rest of their lives.

“Asthma + Lung UK has been calling on the Mayor of West Midlands to prioritise improving air quality across the region, so we welcome this latest development.”