Baffled that Redbridge Council and Weston say no risk to children at proposed school without air filters

Skelton arguments have recently come in from Redbridge Council and Weston Homes. Both are saying there is no risk to child health from not having air filters to prevent pollution at the proposed school at the Tesco Toxic Towers site. This is despite the flats adjacent to the school also facing the high road having air filters planned for them!

So I have written to Hodge Allen Jones asking them to insert these documents into the bundle.

1) Press Release Mayor to trial indoor air pollution filtration systems in nurseries 3.12.18

The quote is

“A recent study by University College London and the University of Cambridge,funded by the Mayor, found that indoor air pollution was significantly higher inside classrooms, due to a range of factors including the age of buildings, ventilation, positioning of windows, and wall-to-wall carpeting.

The findings suggested that the protection offered by the building increased the further away it was from the busiest roads and that airtight buildings may offer greater protection against pollution. The report also found that, in most classrooms, annual exposure to small particles was higher than recommended World Health Organization guidelines, and that this was caused by a combination of indoor and outdoor sources.”

Reason for insertion: This research is evidence that the proposed school which is planned to be beside a busy road should have at least have the air filters and/or mechanical ventilation as the flats adjacent to it. The research is also evidence for the school to be placed inside the development.

2) GLA press release of 24.3.2022 “Mayor of London extends high air pollution alert for the capital”

“Toxic air is extremely dangerous for Londoners and it’s important that we all do what we can in order to reduce the impact this can have on those who are most vulnerable. We can look out for each other by walking, cycling, or taking public transport, and avoiding unnecessary car journeys. It is important that Londoners stop engine idling and don’t burning wood or garden waste – all of this will contribute to already high levels of pollution. By taking these steps we can help protect those who are more vulnerable to high pollution. While this alert is in place people with heart and lung problems should avoid physical exertion.”

Reason for insertion: the children at the proposed school should have best specification air filters to reduce harm to their health when they are exercising inside the school and/or the school should be moved inside the development.

3) Air pollution may worsen autism-related hospital admissions at BMJ Open 21.9.22

The quote is:

“It is believed that short-term exposure to air pollution (days to weeks) can induce systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation, potentially increasing the risk of hospital admission in autistic people”

Reason for insertion: the children at the proposed school should have best specification air filters to reduce harm to their health when they are exercising inside the school and/or the school should be moved inside the development.

4) https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/abfcf7 “Association between exposure to ambient particulate matters and risks of autism spectrum disorder in children: a systematic review and exposure-response meta-analysis” Published 28 May 2021 in Environmental Research Letters

The key quote is:

“Our findings suggested an association between PMexposure and risks of ASD, particularly within specific exposure windows, even at low background levels of PM.”

Reason for insertion: the children at the proposed school should have best specification air filters to reduce harm to their health when they are exercising inside the school and/or the school should be moved inside the development.

5) Impact of nutrition on pollutant toxicity: an update with new insights into epigenetic regulation published in National Library of Medicine at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5489226/

The quote is:

“Poor nutrition can exacerbate the toxicity of pollutants. It is well established that exposure to environmental pollutants can increase risk of developing chronic inflammatory diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome”

Reason for insertion: the children at the proposed school should have best specification air filters to reduce harm to their health when they are exercising inside the school and/or the school should be moved inside the development. This is especially relevant as it is almost certain that the some of the children from low income families at the school will have poor nutrition

6) Imperial College postcode tool addresspollution.org – This shows how polluted the High Road at 317 High Road Chadwell Heath RM6 6AX which is close to the Tesco store. This address is in the 97th national percentile and the postcode tool shows how pollution steadily falls away the further away from the high road the search goes.

Reason for insertion. This is more evidence for the school being placed further away from the road.

7) The local NHS data on child hospital admissions and deaths linked to air pollution mentioned in the core bundle

These should be brought to the attention of the court to show the scale of the problem

8) These are descriptions of two different air fllters

i https://www.airclean.co.uk/indoor-air-quality-filtration/nox-filter-system/ This link shows the

NOx Filter System

Domestic Filtration System for the Removal of Nitrogen Dioxide

Applications

Nitrogen Dioxide Filtration System

Tested up to 90% NO2 removal

For use in domestic or commercial buildings supply air systems

50l/s or 100l/s models available

Filter life up to 2 years

Low resistance to airflow

Compact Design

Can be installed horizontally or vertically

Bottom or Side access END of Extract

The one below is for a higher specification designed for schools

ii School Air Filtration System - PM10, and PM2.5, NOx, VOCs and Ozone (airclean.co.uk)

PM10, and PM2.5, Nitrogen Dioxide (NOx), VOCs and Ozone

For the filtration of Particulates (PM10 and PM2.5) and Pollutant Gases (Nitrogen Dioxide (NOx), VOCs and Ozone within school classrooms and buildings.

Can be used as part of the requirements of BB 101: Ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality 2018.

The unit incorporates air filters that the user can change and maintain as required.

Offers a solution for bringing pollution levels below acceptable standards without the need for costly renovation.

Quiet Operation (Insulated Housing and Inline Attenuation)

User Speed Controllable or CO2 concentration controlled

School Air Filtration System (Fan-Filter)School Air Filtration System (Fan-Filter)School Air Filtration System (Fan-Filter)

Applications

The School Air Filtration System offers a complete solution for the filtration of Particulates and Pollutant Gases including Nitrogen Dioxide, VOC’s and Ozone within the school classroom and public areas. The Fan-Filter Air Cleaner can filter particulates and Nitrogen Dioxide within the room to improve air quality to within the limits set in AQMA areas.

Particulate Matter Filtration (PM10 and PM2.5)

PM10 and PM2.5 Particulate air filters are included within the School Air Filtration System to remove Particulates at efficiencies above 80%. These filters will require changing every 6-12 months depending on the installation option selected. 

END of Extract

Reason for insertion: This shows two different types of air purification systems, one for NO2 and the other with a higher specification for AQMA areas. I say at the least the higher specification system should be installed in the school, or even better the school moved into the site. I also argue that Redbridge has a duty to provide the higher specification particulate filters in the flats identified below the eighth floor. The core bundle shows at page A493 only NO2 filters are provided.

This is a pic of filter designed for schools