A.P.R.I.L.

AIR POLLUTION RESEARCH IN LONDON

A research network supported by EPSRC
 

With a population of approximately 8 million people spread over 2500 kilometres and additional commuter and tourist influxes, London is a very special case as far as air pollution is concerned. Its problems are more severe than any other UK city and they require urgent investigation and research. It is also a dynamic time for the evolution of policy on air quality both at the European and national level, and in London itself, with the addition of a new tier of government responsible for health, transport and environment. Academia and other research organisations are working together with local and national government, through the APRIL initiative, to improve air quality in London as quickly and effectively as possible.

The aim of APRIL is to establish a network providing strong links between the research community and the responsible authorities in addressing the problems of managing air quality in London and identifying the priority research needs. The scope is interdisciplinary, crossing the boundaries of the research councils and merging technical and scientific expertise with policy applications.

A programme of seminars, workshops and meetings has been planned, with the next Seminar on 'Measurements in London', to be held on 13th September at Imperial College. The aims of the meeting are to review measurements undertaken in the London areas, primarily for research purposes and to consider what additional measurements are needed to improve understanding of air pollution problems in London and to support health related research. Special attention will be given to measurements of particulate matter, including the techniques available for detailed characterisation of size and composition.

An information centre for the network, based at Imperial College, is co-ordinating the APRIL activities and maintaining a database and website. The APRIL web-site will shortly go on-line and will contain a database of research information, both current and historical, with links to other relevant sites where data for air quality management is stored, such as emissions inventories, monitoring data and pollutant measurements.

APRIL will interface with bodies responsible for key data in order to make information available for research, and to improve compatibility, quality assurance and reporting of data from the research community so that it can be linked to and used alongside official and routine information. This will include links with the London Air Quality Network and contractors to DETR and other government departments. It will also collaborate with other ongoing activities and organisations concerned with air pollution modelling and monitoring such as the National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection. It will establish relationships with a range of industrial and commercial bodies, including tourism to ensure all aspects of air quality are integrated into a cohesive research programme, and information is available in non-technical language for more general public understanding.

If you would like to contribute to the APRIL network by participating in events, or if you are responsible for any atmospheric measurements in or around London, or have been in the past, please complete the attached form to ensure that your contribution will not be omitted from the APRIL database. The same form can be used if you are not responsible for measurements but wish to be kept informed of developments.

APRIL Steering Committee

Chair: Dr. Helen ApSimon (Imperial College),

Dr. John Murlis & Janet Dixon (UCL),
Dr. Steve Milsom (ESPRC),
Dr. Stephanie Coster (DETR),
Dr. Mark Brangwyn (ALG),
Dr. Steve Smith (King's College),
Professor Bernard Fisher (Greenwich University),
Dr. David Hutchinson (LRC),
Dr. Roy Colville (Imperial College),
Dr. Tom Crossett,
Steve Hedley (SEIPH).