Diputació de Barcelona
Entorn urbà i salut
 
Tools to incorporate the health perspective in municipal actions
 

NO2 Monitoring Toolkit

Mapping for change
2021

Link to the resource: https://mappingforchange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Toolkit.pdf

Format:
Guide
Target population:
Local administrations, citizen associations and population in general
Objetive:

Provide detailed instructions on how to conduct an NO2 measurement campaign and share the results with the community.

Methodology:

The guide describes six key steps to undertake an NO2 level measurement project.

  • First, a study site and suitable locations are selected for the placement of diffusion tubes, depending on the capabilities and objectives of the study.
  • The second step involves fixing the NO2 diffusion tubes.
  • The third step consists of collecting the samples, which takes about four weeks.
  • In the fourth step, the location data of the tube are collected, in as much detail as possible.
  • The fifth step is to remove the tubes and keep them cold until they are sent for analysis.
  • The sixth and final step is to either (a) replace the old tube with a new one in the same location, or (b) move on to measure another area or neighbourhood.

The results are then shared with the community through an interactive open-access map, which qualifies the measured levels according to their compliance with current European regulations.

Opportunities and limitations:

This is a brief guide with very specific, precise instructions.

This monitoring method does not provide information on daily variations in air quality or indicate peak days or times but provides an average value for the 3-4 weeks of tube measurement.

A template for records of tube location and other variables is provided.

Sharing data on a common open map provides relevant information at EU level.

Indicators:
Frequency with which public transport passes.
Air pollution level at 1/5/10 metres from main roads.
Level of noise pollution.
Distance from the dwelling to an open public space (green/not green).
Awareness of the importance of air quality for health.
Thematic:
Public space
Link to health:
Physical
Scale of the field of study:
Housing / street / building / bounded public space Block - set of buildings or spaces Neighbourhood (or higher)
Implementation phase:
Diagnosis / pre-project Monitoring and evaluation Implementation
Methodological approach:
Observation Qualitative / Participatory Questionnaire