EarthSense Releases MappAir Nationwide Air Pollution Map Including PM2.5
Leicester, April 26, 2018 - MappAir - the first ever high resolution nationwide map of air pollution – has been updated to include PM2.5 small atmospheric particles that can get into the lungs causing serious health problems.
Created by EarthSense, the air quality monitoring, measuring and modelling specialist, MappAir 2.0 now includes PM2.5 as well as nitrogen dioxide levels for the whole of the UK at 100 metre resolution. EarthSense has used complex modelling techniques to create the highly accurate map combining data from satellites, its own network of Zephyr air quality monitoring sensors and other published datasets.
Particulate Matter (PM) is microscopic solid or liquid matter suspended in the Earth’s atmosphere. Sources of PM can be natural or man-made and they have impacts on climate and precipitation and can adversely affect human health. PM2.5, now included in MappAir 2.0, is defined as ultra-fine with particulate matter around 3 per cent of the diameter of a strand of human hair. PM2.5 are so small they can only be detected with an electron microscope but can easily get into lungs contributing to respiratory infections, cardiovascular problems and even premature death.
“Feedback from existing users of MappAir, including the Fighting for Air campaign where we worked with the BBC and the King’s Heath community in Birmingham resulting in over 1.5 million air pollution map look-ups, showed that while the original MappAir product was a first in terms of air pollution mapping there was scope for further development,” commented Tom Hall, Managing Director of EarthSense.
In addition to satellite and traffic data used in the original MappAir product, MappAir 2.0 uses the Government’s Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN) air quality data as well as non-traffic sources such as the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI). MappAir 2.0 also considers the effect of topology and includes factors which determine how pollution behaves for example slope.
“MappAir 2.0 is unique,” continued Hall. “There is no other product available that offers this level of detail in terms of resolution, data sources, validation and application. MappAir 2.0 provides access to NO2 and PM2.5 annual average data for the whole of the UK, right down to street corner or postcode level and now, another first, includes it owns combined air quality index for both pollutants.”
The combination of data sources used make MappAir 2.0 a sophisticated service that will be further enhanced to deliver nationwide near real-time, historical and forecasting abilities in subsequent releases.
EarthSense delivers products that enable the world to visualise and solve its air quality issues. A joint venture between aerial mapping company Bluesky and the University of Leicester, EarthSense enables policy makers, planners and those responsible for delivering results to access real world information to support decision making. With a mix of hardware (air quality sensors), software (bespoke modelling), data (derived and complementary) and people, EarthSense is a new leader in air quality monitoring solutions and services, making a difference to people’s lives and delivering high value information to a range of consumers and decision makers.
EarthSense has already undertaken a range of air quality monitoring projects, including trials of an airborne air quality mapper, air pollution monitoring equipment on a rocket, and mobile mapping with air quality sensors mounted in electric cars, as well as deploying Zephyr air quality sensors across the UK and overseas. Plans include the establishment of a nationwide network of air quality Zephyr sensors, feeding live data for up to the minute air quality predictions.
EarthSense is a joint venture between aerial mapping company Bluesky and the University of Leicester.
Bluesky is a specialist in aerial survey including aerial photography, LiDAR and thermal data using the very latest survey technology, including two UltraCam Eagles and a Teledyne Optech Galaxy LiDAR system integrated with a PhaseOne camera and thermal sensor. An internationally recognised leader with projects extending around the globe, Bluesky is proud to work with prestigious organisations such as Google, the BBC and Government Agencies.
Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography and maintains national “off the shelf” coverage of aerial photography, DTM and DSM through an on-going three-year update programme. The integrated Galaxy LiDAR system, which includes thermal and aerial photography cameras, places Bluesky at the forefront of this technology and in the enviable position of being able to provide customers with unique and extremely cost effective solutions.
Bluesky is leading the way in developing innovative solutions for environmental applications, including the UK’s first National Tree Map™ (NTM), solar mapping and citywide ‘heat loss’ maps and is currently developing noise and air quality mapping products. www.bluesky-world.com
University of Leicester
The University of Leicester is led by discovery and innovation – an international centre for excellence renowned for research, teaching and broadening access to higher education. It is among the top 25 universities in the Times Higher Education REF Research Power rankings with 75% of research adjudged to be internationally excellent with wide-ranging impacts on society, health, culture, and the environment. Find out more: https://le.ac.uk/about