The pervasive nature of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution remains a critical public health and environmental challenge across the UK. Proposals will analyse current air quality trends, identify key local drivers—such as domestic heating and transport—and assess the resulting health inequalities within a British urban centre.
Successful proposals will contribute to the development of robust strategies for reducing PM2.5 exposure, aligning with the UK’s statutory environmental targets and the evolution of Clean Air Zones. Central to this work is the balance between safeguarding public health, supporting sustainable economic growth, and achieving Net Zero ambitions. A rigorous, evidence-based approach is essential to ensure long-term resilience for diverse UK communities.
Some references/resources that provide a starting point for your investigation:
Introductory data and code:
Sample PM2.5 data across the City of Edinburgh [site003, site028, site037, sensor locations, hourly meteorology]
Sample code to read in data.
A plume model that links emission estimates to atmospheric concentrations of PM2.5.