- This event has passed.
Routes to Clean Air 2023
10 Oct, 2023 @ 9:30 am - 11 Oct, 2023 @ 5:00 pm
The Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM) presents Routes to Clean Air 2023, its annual conference on topics relevant to air quality practitioners and associated professionals. This year’s conference will take place over two days.
The programme will feature thought-provoking presentations and panel discussions ensuring an extensive exploration of the most relevant subjects in air quality management. Full details coming soon.
Routes to Clean Air 2023 is also a great opportunity for networking, allowing delegates to forge meaningful connections with fellow air quality professionals. We understand value of collaboration and knowledge exchange as well as gaining valuable CPD.
In addition to this delegates will also have the chance to interact with leading companies in the air quality sector. This is your chance to see some of the latest cutting-edge technologies, innovative solutions, and best practices aimed at tackling the challenges associated with air pollution. This interactive exhibition will offer attendees a first-hand experience of the latest advancements and provide invaluable insights into the future direction of air quality management.
Who should attend?
Air quality consultants | Local authority officers | Academics & researchers | PhD students | NGO & professional body staff | Public health professionals | Ecologists
Agenda – Tuesday 10th October
Click on the agenda below to see the speaker biographies and abstracts
- 08:30 Registration, Coffee and snacks
- 09:30 Welcome
Chris Rush, IAQM Chair - 09.45 Health Based Ventilation Design
- 10:15 - New Tools from the SPF Clean Air Programme
- 10:45 Active PIV/MVHR - Retrofits that tick priority boxes
- 11:15 Refreshments
- 11:45 Early Careers Network session
- 12:15 Indoor air quality monitoring study in modern offices
- 13:00 Lunch
- 14:00 Air Quality Challenges of Carbon Capture
- 14:30 3 x 10 minute presentations
- 15:00 Refreshments
- 15:30 Ethical considerations when determining air quality policies
- 16:00 Addressing Air Pollution in Net Zero work
- 16.30 Environmental Assessment Levels in relation to Carbon Capture and Storage
- 17.00 Integrating the Environment Act air quality targets in to the planning system
Alice McLean, Associate Air Quality Consultant, Ramboll
Abstract
One of the challenges faced by architects and engineers is in designing buildings that create healthy indoor environments whilst at the same time meeting net zero targets. Indoor air quality is likely to deteriorate as building envelopes become tighter and energy performance demands increase. However, there is no primary legislation in the UK that requires indoor air quality standards to be achieved and therefore little attention is paid to indoor air quality during the standard design process. This presentation will introduce the above and recommend an alternative health-based approach to ventilation design for new and existing buildings.
Noel Nelson, Met Office
Biography
Noel has worked for the Met Office for over thirty years. In that time, he has worked in a variety of specialised areas including weather and health impacts, air quality dispersion modelling, airborne transmission of animal diseases and forest fire risk analysis. He seconded to the Defra air quality policy team where he assisted in translating air quality science for policy applications. He also spent several years working with the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution during which time he contributed to several Command Reports. Noel is a past Chair of the Institution of Environmental Science and a current Vice President. Currently Noel works in the Atmospheric Dispersion and Air Quality team within the Met Office where he is the Senior Supplier for the SPF Clean Air Programme of work.
Andrew Hobbs, Managing Director, Healthy Indoor Environments Limited t/a Better Indoors
Biography
Andrew is Founder and CEO of Healthy Indoor Environments Ltd, trading as Better Indoors, which focusses solely on domestic and commercial Ventilation Retrofits, Active Air Purification and Air Conditioning. Better Indoors’ solutions permanently solve problems caused by insufficient ventilation performance such as condensation, mould, radon, VOCs/odours, allergens and microbials and have been installed in thousands of domestic and commercial public and private sector buildings across the UK from the Channel Islands to Scotland. In addition to direct manufacturer relationships, we are UK Master Distributor to world leading environmental innovator and manufacturer RGF Environmental Inc whose patented air purification technologies are used in over 115 countries around the world. Andrew is a committed indoor air quality professional and an associate of the Institute of Environmental Sciences,
the Indoor Air Quality Association, the UK Indoor Environments Group, the UK Radon Association and the Radon Council along with several APPGs and lobby groups.
Abstract
IAQ improvement is a vital endeavour for British society considering we spend most of our time indoors. There’s a big risk the drive to Net Zero will create unintended consequences for IAQ, health and wellbeing because the predominant ventilation strategy of our 28 million existing domestic properties is not scalable. It’s why so many properties suffer condensation and mould in winter. Active PIV is a term used to describe a unique methodology for affordable and easy to install ventilation solutions that not only improve IAQ but facilitate improved energy efficiency without the enormous energy wastage associated with natural ventilation.
Indoor AQ monitoring of central London Schools and Lessons Learnt
Lauren Nixon, Graduate Air Quality Consultant, WSP
Air Pollution Footprint Partnership
Ella Wingard, Air Quality Consultant, Ricardo
Emma Gibbons, PhD Candidate, UCL
Biography
Emma Gibbons, BSc Hons, CEnv, MIAQM, MIEnvSc, PIEMA, is a PhD Student at University College London. Her field of research is indoor air quality, with a focus on building ventilation and the ingress of ambient air pollution into buildings. Prior to her PhD studies, Emma was a Senior Consultant at Arup, and she has more than 15 years of experience in air quality consultancy. She is a Chartered Environmentalist, a full member of the IES and the IAQM, and a member of the CIBSE air quality working group.
Abstract
A current challenge to indoor air quality is the balance between ingress of ambient air pollution and dilution of indoor pollutants, whilst maintaining occupant comfort. Modern energy-efficient buildings often dilute indoor pollutants and contaminants through well ventilated spaces. However, this can introduce ambient air pollutants into the indoor environment, particularly in urban areas where outdoor concentrations can be at levels greater than recommended guideline values.
In this study, continuous air quality monitoring was carried out in a number of office buildings in central London. Air pollutants and comfort parameters (NO2, O3, CO2, PM2.5, PM10, VOCs, formaldehyde, temperature and relative humidity) were measured using diffusive sampling and continuous monitoring methods. Measurements were carried out in different buildings to understand what influence the ventilation system design and operation had on indoor air pollutant concentrations.
It is envisaged that case study will be of interest to professionals in all areas of the built environment, including air quality professionals, building services engineers and those interested in healthy and sustainable buildings.
Dr. Chris Hazell-Marshall, Technical Director, Environmental Resources Management
Biography
Dr. Chris Hazell-Marshall is Technical Director for ERMs EMEA air quality team. Chris has more than 25 years experience, and after completing his PhD in Air Pollution and Associated Cardiovascular Health Effects, he moved into consultancy where he focusses on industrial emissions. He is an experienced in dispersion modelling, emissions quantification abatement and air quality monitoring. Chris has a particular interest in Carbon Capture having led the air quality work for the UKs first two projects at Drax and Peterhead, and latterly has collaborated extensively with the Carbon Capture and Storage Association, CERC developers of ADMS, technology Centre Mongstad and the UK regulators to develop guidance for air quality assessment of CCS projects. Chris maintains an active interest in health and ecology aspects of air quality. He also routinely undertakes work as an expert witness and representing clients in public enquiries and public hearings.
Abstract
Carbon capture and blue hydrogen projects are creating multiple air quality challenges, including amines, N-amine chemistry, ammonia and low temperature plume emissions. These are posing considerable issues in their own right and further complicated with the need to undertake in-combination assessments of human and ecological impacts. This paper will present the ‘state of play’ for Planning and Permitting and discuss the significant barriers that remain to the delivery of carbon capture and hydrogen projects within the emerging decarbonisation clusters, and how the UK experience can be used to benefit the deployment of decarbonisation technology globally.
Air Quality and Climate Change: Lessons Learned – Dr Xiangyu Sheng, Director Air Quality, Climate & Carbon
Assessing Air Quality and Climate Change Impacts for Offshore Wind Farm Projects – Dr Saba Manzoor, Principal Air Quality Consultant, Environment, Water and Maritime UK, and Joe Parsons, Senior Environmental Consultant, Environment UK
Air Quality Assessment of a Carbon Capture Centre – Leticia Campello, Air Quality Consultant, Hoare Lea
Michael Bull, Director, Michael Bull and Associates Ltd
Biography
Michael has worked in air quality for over 35 years, he was a founder member of IAQM and sat on its committee from its formation until 2017. He has assisted with the preparation of several guidance documents from the IAQM, most recently leading the group that produced the guidance on the assessment of odours for planning. He was the air quality lead on many major infrastructure projects including HS2, Gatwick and Stansted Airports, New Tyne Cross and the Replacement Forth Crossing.
After several years leading a large environment consultancy he founded MBAL in 2021 to focus on technical work. At the same time Michael started a masters in History and Philosophy of Science at UCL which he has just completed. As a result, at this conference he is trying out some of his new found knowledge to talk about some ethical and social justice issues associated with air quality standards.
Abstract
This presentation will examine how ethical considerations in public health policy would result in a very different focus in air quality policy compared with our current focus on air quality standards. It will be demonstrated that current policies do not result in maximising public health benefits and can often result in policies that have minimal benefit. The presentation will examine the UK approach over the last 30 years and suggest how these should change to improve public health outcomes in the future.
Sarah Legge, Associate Director, Arup
Biography
Sarah Legge is an Associate Director at Arup. She is an air pollution specialist with over 25 years’ experience, ranging from policy development, analysis, and implementation to technical air quality work. She has a particular interest in the intersection of air pollution and climate change and the opportunities (and risks) for improving both together.
Sarah’s work at Arup ranges from planning to urban air quality policy support and government research, including air quality impacts of low carbon fuels and technologies, joint air pollution and climate projects, and sharing best practice into new areas and sectors.
Sarah is a member of the Steering Committee for the new Environmental Policy Implementation Community (EPIC), arising from Environmental Protection UK (EPUK). Her experience also includes 12 years running SLH Environmental Ltd, Chair of the EPUK Air Quality Committee and Head of Air Quality at the Greater London Authority.
Abstract
This will focus on the air quality impacts of net zero and integrating action on air pollution and climate. It will include reflections on the air quality impacts of new and emerging low carbon technologies, including the use of new types of fuel, such as ammonia. It will look at the implications of the increased focus on PM2.5 for local authorities in the Air Quality Strategy, and the stronger links to climate action, given local PM2.5 emissions are often black carbon, a short lived climate pollutant. It may also cover the EPUK/EPIC guidance on air quality and climate change
Rick Gould, Environment Agency
Sarah Reeves, Air Quality Policy Advisor, Defra
Agenda – Wednesday 11th October
Click on the agenda below to see the speaker biographies and abstracts
- 08:30 Registration, Coffee and snacks
- 09:00 Welcome - Chris Rush, IAQM Chair
- 09:15 Measuring air pollutant emissions using novel techniques
- 09.45 Air quality challenges of carbon capture
- 10:15 Decarbonisation and achieving net-zero construction in the UK
- 10:45 Addressing emissions from NRMM
- 11:30 Refreshments
- 12.00 Applied Source Apportionment using Low Cost Sensors
- 12:15 Insights from the Clean Air Networks Conference
- 13:00 Lunch
- 14:00 Developments in occupational hygiene and air quality
- 14:30 3 x 10 minute presentations
- 15:00 Refreshments
- 15:30 Reducing Construction Emissions
- 16:00 Updates to CURED and CREAM Emissions Models
- 16.30 Plenary comments and questions/feedback
Francis Pope, Chair of Atmospheric Science, University of Birmingham
Biography
Professor Francis Pope is an expert on the causes and effects of air pollution, drawing together insight from a multidisciplinary perspective to understand how air pollution affects human health and how it relates to urban development. He currently has active projects in the UK, Europe, Africa, and India, through which he interacts with various stakeholders, including academics; international, government and city authorities; charities, and UN bodies. Before gaining his professorship in atmospheric science in 2018, he held a Birmingham Fellowship (2012-2017), which allowed outstanding, high potential researchers to establish world-leading research groups. His work on low-cost sensors is well known internationally. However, successful air quality management and control not only requires measurement of air pollution levels, but it also requires information on the sources and their relative importance.
Catheryn Price, Principal Consultant, CERC
Biography
Catheryn is a Principal Consultant at Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants (CERC), where she has 18 years of experience over a diverse array of air quality and dispersion modelling projects. Her consultancy work sits alongside research on a wide range of topics, and she’s an experienced provider of technical support and training for the ADMS family of software. Her PhD, from the University of Bristol, was in urban tracer dispersion and air quality.
Carl Desouza, Research Associate, Imperial College London
Biography
Dr. Carl Desouza is a post-doctoral research associate at Imperial College London. Carl’s research at the Centre for Low Emission Construction focuses on net-zero construction and pathways to achieve carbon neutrality within the industry. His research aims to raise awareness of the impact of dust and emissions on local air quality and health across the construction industry through real-world emission and occupational exposure measurements on active construction sites. He has worked on various research projects which include hydrogen-combustion, machine telematics, retrofit technology, dual-fuel and alternative fuels, personal exposure, power management systems, and construction dust mitigation. Dr. Desouza works with policy makers, regulators, and industry partners to provide independent scientific evidence to understand pathways to achieving the UK governments’ NetZero decarbonisation targets by 2050.
Abstract
The construction sector is one of the largest contributors to GHG and AQ emissions in the UK, with ~300,000 machines consuming ~2.5 mil-tonnes diesel emitting ~6 mil-tonnes CO2e. We have worked with industry partners to provide independent scientific evidence on innovative technologies as alternatives to diesel combustion. Measured emissions from hydrogen combustion demonstrated >95% reduction in AQ pollutants, while H2 fuel-cell trial demonstrated an annual reduction potential of 486 tonnes CO2 and 2.3 tonnes NOx. The outputs from these trials form a route map for the construction industry where uncertainty and regulatory guidance is unclear from the government.
Andrew Gordon, NRMM Project Manager and Luis Bassett, NRMM Project Coordinator, London Borough of Merton
Biography – Luis Bassett
Luis is a qualified Environmental Health Practitioner who has worked at London Borough of Merton for 7 years, and has been involved in the implementation and continued delivery of the London NRMM Low Emission Zone since it began in 2016. He is responsible for NRMM inspections across 5 London Boroughs, and leads on emissions modelling and technical guidance for private and public sector. The team has won multiple awards, with the project being commended for it’s innovation and significant emission reductions from construction equipment. Despite his nuanced fame, Luis says that his favourite part of the job is still climbing on diggers.
Biography – Andrew Gordon
Andrew Gordon, a professional regulator by trade, has a 17 year background in tackling environmental crime. Andrew works for the Regulatory Services Partnership sharing services in three London boroughs, delivering the London-wide Low Emissions Zone for Construction. This project is driving innovation and change whilst partnering with industry and the supply chain to deliver the best outcomes for air quality in London. A manager with a lifelong passion for the environment and for delivering better health outcomes through partnership working, innovation and pragmatism.
Abstract
Since 2016 London Borough of Merton has been leading on the inspection regime for NRMM on construction or demolition sites in London. Using the existing legislative framework and on-site inspections, we require all NRMM on London developments to be EU Stage IIIB as a minimum, and Stage IV in some areas. This also includes the ongoing rollout of Stage V generators and surrounding prep work with suppliers & contractors. The industry has been overwhelmingly cooperative with this scheme, and so far the work has reduced emissions in London by 72 Tonne PM, 1650 Tonne NOx and 80700 Tonne CO2.
Gordon Allison, Dustscan
Douglas Booker, Regional Clean Air Champion, Clean Air Programme
Biography
Douglas is the Co-Founder & CEO of NAQTS, a Lancaster Environment Centre collocated business that designs and develops indoor air quality monitoring technologies and testing services. Through this role Douglas has collaborated on and led multiple industry-academic research projects and partnerships, with universities, other businesses, trade associations, public health professionals, local authorities, and the general public.
Douglas is also a UKRI Regional Clean Air Champion for the West Midlands to the North West of England, as part of the Clean Air Programme: a £42.5m research and innovation investment supported through the UKRI Strategic Priorities Fund. Douglas is working with the Clean Air Champions team to bring together researchers across atmospheric, medical, and social sciences to develop practical solutions for air quality issues.
Abstract
In July 2023, as part of the Clean Air Programme, the 8 Clean Air Networks held a conference to showcase the latest advances in clean air research. Drawing from presentations and conversations at the conference, a report was created containing key messages for policymakers and industry, and to identify future research needs for the air quality scientific community. On behalf of the Clean Air Champions team, in this presentation I will present the contents of this report, and discuss what it means for the future of clean air research in the UK.
Mary Cameron, Occupational Hygienist with Health Partners and BOHS Board member
The discord between limit value compliance and the LAQM objective regime – Sarah Naylor, Principal Air Quality Consultant, Arcadis
The role of clean air zones in achieving the UK’s net-zero emissions target by 2050 – Louis Brown
The Impact of the Clean Air Zone on Air Quality in Birmingham – Matthew Park, Graduate Air Quality Consultant, Air and Acoustic Consultants
Samuel Arsita Bradley, Senior Environmental Consultant, Arup
Abstract
We have been working on the feasibility of options to reduce emissions at construction sites working with ‘exemplar sites’ to demonstrate the possibilities. We provide lessons learned from the work and consultation with industry stakeholders (as referenced in the Chief Medical Officer’s report). We introduce our emissions tool which calculates NOx, PM and carbon emissions from NRMM, which has value for contractors, regulatory bodies and local authorities. This work is timely as DEFRA have called for actions towards reducing NRMM emissions. We demonstrate how to achieve reductions and recognise the need to support the transition and help quantify the benefits.
Kate Wilkins, Senior Air Quality Consultant, Air Quality Consultants Ltd
Biography
Dr Wilkins is a Senior Consultant with Air Quality Consultants Ltd with over five years’ experience in the field of air quality. Since joining AQC in January 2018, she has undertaken numerous air quality impact assessments for road traffic, combustion plant and construction dust throughout the UK for both standalone assessments and for EIAs, and has also prepared local authority reports and literature reviews. She has contributed her technical skills in programming, specialist software and data analysis to a range of large-scale projects, including the third runway at Heathrow airport. Previously, Kate completed a PhD at the University of Bristol, researching atmospheric dispersion modelling and satellite remote sensing of volcanic ash. Prior to her PhD she spent a year working at the Environment Agency in Flood Risk Management. She is a Member of both the Institute of Air Quality Management and the Institution of Environmental Sciences.
Abstract
The CURED emissions model predicts emissions of NOx from road vehicles. It was first released in 2016 and widely used until 2020, when we determined that it was no longer required. The CREAM emissions model predicts emissions of ammonia from road vehicles. It was released in 2020 and is widely used, often being requested by bodies such as Natural England.
New evidence is now available which suggests benefits in reintroducing an alternative emissions model for NOx, as well as for PM10 and PM2.5, and updating the CURED and CREAM Models. CURED-4 and CREAM-2 will be released in summer 2023. As with previous versions, both models will be free to use.
The presentation will explain why the updates are required, the new evidence used, and how predictions made using these models compare with previous versions and alternative approaches.
Early Bird Prices
The two day packages include a ticket to the dinner that is taking place at the Holiday Inn, Manchester on the 10th October. If you are attending for one day, dinner tickets can be purchased for £35.
Standard - One Day
Standard - Two Days
IAQM Member - One Day
IAQM Member - Two Days
Local Authority - One Day
Local Authority - Two Days
Student or Graduate* - One Day
Student or Graduate* - Two Days
* Graduate and student rates are available to those who graduated after 1st January 2023 and are not currently in full-time employment. Certification will be requested to confirm your booking. There are no Super Early Bird or Early Bird prices for local authority and student/graduate.
Manchester Accommodation
This year’s conference is taking place in the Holiday Inn Manchester.
Holiday Inn® Manchester – City Centre Hotel is located right in the heart of Manchester with Manchester Piccadilly Train Station a two-minute walk from the hotel. Piccadilly Station offers direct trains to London and a Metrolink stop allowing you to travel around the city with ease.
This hotel is a 2 minute walk from the Holiday Inn
The hotel is around the corner from Manchester Piccadilly train station and Piccadilly Gardens. The hotelsurrounded by pubs, restaurants, and nightlife, with Market Street and city centre attractions half a mile away. Enjoy our seasonal outdoor terrace, dining at our restaurant, and craft drinks at the bar. Every stay starts with a warm chocolate chip cookie.
This hotel is a 2 minute walk from the Holiday Inn
Located on Portland Street, minutes’ walk from Piccadilly Train Station and the main shopping quarter of the city, you really are in the middle of this buzzing metropolis.
The rooms at the hotel have a private bathroom with free toiletries. Rooms offer tea and coffee making facilities, a work desk, air conditioning and a hairdryer. All rooms also have a flat-screen TV. Rooms offer tea and coffee making facilities, along with a work desk, air conditioning and a hairdryer. All rooms have a flatscreen TV with Freeview.
Exhibit with us
Routes to Clean Air attracts consultants, air quality practitioners, leading manufacturers, local authorities officers and regulators, academics and researchers providing an excellent opportunity for organisations to interact with their target audience of experts and buyers. This conference is a platform for expert practitioners to share knowledge, therefore there are a limited number of spaces for exhibitors.
Benefits of exhibiting:
- Listing on the event page on both the IAQM and Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) websites.
- Promotion on the IAQM and IES Websites, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts
- Inclusion in both digital and printed versions of the delegate pack
Download our Exhibitor and Sponsorship Pack and book your space today.
Our Sponsors
Our Exhibitors
Accessibility
We aim to provide events, conferences and workshops which are accessible to all. If you anticipate needing any type of assistance to fully participate in this event, please email Derek Jardine at events@the-ies.org or call +44 (0)20 3862 7484 to discuss this further.