What was the Air Quality Challenge?
We worked with the Mayor of London to design and deliver the Mayor’s Resilience Fund which included two phases:
- Open call for local authorities, government agencies and charities in London to partner with us as problem-holders (2020)
- Designed and delivered 10 city-based challenges (2021)
The Mayor's Resilience Fund was funded by the London Economic Action Partnership.
What was this challenge about?
Create a data service that models and visualises air quality data and health impacts from air pollution control measures to improve the health outcomes of vulnerable residents.
Where was it focused?
London Borough of Lambeth
Who were the end users?
London Borough of Lambeth and Lambeth residents LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MAYOR'S RESILIENCE FUND
Who won the Challenge?
HEAL - HEalthy Air quality impacts in Lambeth by BlockDox won the Challenge with their project, a disruptive and innovative gamechanger providing an intelligent solution for Lambeth and other London Boroughs to model and assess health impacts from air quality interventions.
Background information
- PM2.5 is a dangerous air pollutant.
- In 2016, Lambeth emitted 96.8 tonnes of PM2.5. Modelling shows that PM2.5 safe levels are being exceeded.
- The Mayor of London has committed to reaching WHO levels by 2030.
- Research has shown that strong interventions are needed to achieve this target.
- Vulnerable groups – unborn babies, children, the elderly, those with existing health conditions, and people in poorer working and living conditions – are most likely to suffer from its effects.
- A reduction in PM2.5 pollution is linked to positive health outcomes for vulnerable groups.
- There is currently no solution that combines data on PM2.5, location of vulnerable groups within the borough (schools, nurseries, care homes, hospitals), and models how specific interventions (e.g. traffic strategies, wood burning control measures, restrictions on cooking fuels) reduce exposure to PM2.5, and hence improve health outcomes, of those vulnerable groups.
- The tool can be of use to Lambeth Council and other London boroughs as well as local decision-makers and community-driven campaigns for improved air quality.