A new initiative taking place this winter aims to raise awareness of black carbon pollution and the impact of wood smoke on air quality across London.
A new initiative taking place this winter aims to raise awareness of black carbon pollution and the impact of wood smoke on air quality across London. As part of the Clean Air Night project, The Greater London Authority and Global Action Plan (GAP) along with the Environment Industries Association are aiming to raise awareness of black carbon and wood smoke. Cura Terrae Air is providing specialist equipment and technical expertise to support data collection and analysis, as part of the awareness campaign.
Cura Terrae Air has deployed an Aerosol AE33 Black Carbon monitor, installed in an Air Quality station in Newham Council in London. This monitor has been collecting data throughout December and January and will continue to through February, providing valuable insights into pollution levels during the winter period.
Black carbon consists of very fine particles produced by incomplete combustion. When released from wood burning, these particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, worsening asthma, and increasing the risk of premature death. In urban areas, domestic wood burning has become a major source of wintertime particulate pollution, making monitoring essential to understand exposure levels and target mitigation efforts.
Together, all partners aim to highlight the environmental and health effects of black carbon emissions and encourage positive behaviour change. Air pollution is the largest environmental health risk globally, according to The Lancet. It is estimated to contribute to the equivalent of 30,000 deaths each year in the UK, with an economic cost of £27 billion annually. A UK analysis in 2025 concluded that wood burner smoke in particular is linked to 2,500 deaths a year.
It is hoped that the black carbon monitor in Newham produces on-the-ground insights to share, to encourage public awareness and engagement with the issue.
