| Abstract Title: | High-frequency air quality measurements at school gates during the morning drop off |
| Presenter Name: | Ms Marta O'Brian |
| Company/Organisation: | Reading University |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
Abstract Information :
Taking a child to school to obtain education is every parent and carer’s responsibility. Children are exposed to unknown levels of air pollution during their travels to school, some of which occurs outside the school’s gate.
We measured air pollution at high frequency at 3 gates of primary schools in Reading, UK for 7 weeks over June and July 2023, scanning every minute for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10) using air quality sensors. While air quality measurements are usually reported as mean values per hour, per day, or per year, we found that spikes in pollutant levels during this crucial time at the school gate have often been overlooked, because of that. Despite the air quality being dangerous during this limited time, it goes unnoticed when using mean values over an extended period.
