June Air Quality Monitoring Round-Up

Several new long-term monitoring programmes got underway during June, alongside continued support for construction, industrial and BREEAM projects across the UK. From establishing baseline conditions for future developments to preparing monitoring strategies for heritage buildings and undertaking specialist emissions testing, the month reflected the important role environmental monitoring plays before, during and after construction.

Establishing Baseline Conditions for Future Development

One of the month’s largest projects saw our team mobilise a new ambient dust monitoring programme at a mineral extraction site.

Before the planned quarry extension can progress through the planning process, it is essential to understand existing environmental conditions. Following an initial site walkover, our consultants designed a site-specific monitoring strategy before installing Continuous Dust Monitors and Dust Deposition Gauges at carefully selected locations around the site.

The programme has been developed to establish robust baseline dust conditions and evaluate the potential cumulative effects of neighbouring mineral extraction activities. The data collected will provide an important evidence base to inform the planning appeal and future environmental assessments.

Preparing a Landmark Heritage Redevelopment

Meanwhile in London, our consultants visited Battersea to undertake a detailed site walkover ahead of a new Construction Dust Monitoring programme.

The project involves the restoration of two distinctive Victorian red-brick industrial buildings, originally constructed between 1889 and 1890 for the manufacture of military clothing and equipment. More than 130 years later, the buildings are being carefully transformed into modern office accommodation while retaining their historic character.

The visit enabled our team to identify suitable monitoring locations, assess site constraints and agree equipment positions ahead of installation, ensuring the monitoring strategy reflects both the complexity of the development and the surrounding sensitive receptors.

Indoor Air Quality Assessments Across Multiple Sectors

June also saw continued demand for Indoor Air Quality Monitoring across both education and public sector developments.

Our team completed BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Assessments at a newly completed secondary school in the South East, together with a refurbishment project at a secure public sector facility in East Anglia. Although the projects differed significantly in their end use, each required post-construction verification of indoor air quality before occupation.

Monitoring was undertaken in accordance with BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-out 2014 and BREEAM UK New Construction Version 6, with laboratory analysis of Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) and formaldehyde providing independent verification against the relevant Indoor Air Quality criteria.

Specialist Monitoring for Operational Facilities

Operational monitoring programmes also remained a key part of the month’s workload.

Quarterly Bioaerosol Monitoring was completed at a waste management facility in the North East in accordance with the Environment Agency’s Technical Guidance Note M9. The monitoring quantified concentrations of Aspergillus fumigatus and mesophilic bacteria, providing evidence of continued compliance with the site’s Environmental Permit.

Alongside this work, our consultants undertook specialist emissions monitoring to evaluate the performance of an on-site biofilter serving an In-Vessel Composting  plant. The monitoring programme included sampling for odour, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), ammonia and hydrogen sulphide using extractive techniques compliant with BS EN 13725:2022.

The results will help the operator better understand biofilter performance, inform future abatement requirements and support ongoing environmental management.

Looking Ahead

With several new monitoring programmes now established and a number of major construction projects progressing into the next phase, our team is looking forward to another busy summer supporting developments across the UK.

Whether establishing baseline conditions for planning applications, delivering BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Assessments, undertaking specialist emissions testing or managing long-term construction dust monitoring programmes, we remain committed to providing reliable environmental monitoring services that help clients make informed decisions throughout every stage of a project.

If you would like to discuss your environmental monitoring requirements or request a proposal, please get in touch with our team. We’d be delighted to help.