Posts dated "June, 2022"

Clean Air Day (CAD) is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign, bringing together communities, businesses, schools, and the health sector.

Back in September 2021, ET agreed the hire of the Smogmobile to Fife Council to assist with their campaign to highlight the dangers of air pollution and to try and increase active travel to and from Schools to run for the three days up to CAD 2022 (June 16^th).

The Councils objective was to raise awareness of air pollution levels peaking at drop-off and collection, and exposing children to harmful toxins and to encourage walking, cycling or scooting to school as a healthier alternative.

Over the three days, ET’s Managing Director, Duncan Mounsor, monitored air pollution at three primary schools around Dunfermline using ET’s custom-made mobile air quality monitoring laboratory - the Smogmobile.

 The Smogmobile at St Margaret's Primary School in Fife.

Duncan, who spoke to 15 groups of children during one of the days commented: “I actually get a huge amount of job satisfaction visiting schools to talk about the dangers of poor air quality. It’s a global problem. We must educate ourselves and our children to help ensure we continue to decrease pollution levels for future generations”

Blair Falconer, Fife Council’s Land and Air Quality Technician said “The project was key in raising awareness among local children. We hope we have inspired some changes, and that the children continue to build upon this knowledge”.

During the visits, the children were excited to see the mobile laboratory in action and had lots of questions. Teacher, Isla Ferguson remarked, “The pupils at Carnegie Primary have been buzzing about Clean Air and monitoring air pollution all week! I've had some lovely comments from a couple of parents saying that their children - who were involved in some of the many groups who came to listen to Duncan - found it really fascinating. Once again, thanks for the opportunity to be involved: our students have really benefitted.“

The Smogmobile really lends itself to this kind of research and education project.

The Smogmobile’s next outing is to Westminster on June 28^th where it will be monitoring at two Westminster locations to mark London Climate Action week. Smogmobile visits Westminster for London Climate Action Week | Westminster City Council

If you’d like more information about the Smogmobile, you can read about it in our brochure

2017-smogmobile-brochure.pdf (et.co.uk)

It’s not often any of our Sales team get to go to such a scenic location to train a customer on one of our products but on this occasion, they certainly did!

ET’s Scientific Applications Sales Manager, Lewis John and MD, Duncan Mounsor set off for sunny South Africa in early April this year following an order for an ABB / LGR Triple Liquid Water Isotope Analyser from BIOGRIP (Biogeochemistry Research Infrastructure Platform) at Stellenbosch University.

The BIOGRIP facility at the university provides access to advanced analytical techniques and instruments for water and soil research to clients in industry and research institutions. It also provides post-graduate students the opportunity to be trained to operate the equipment.

Lewis trained Dr. Janine Colling, a scientist based at the University and Volante Moonsamy, Junior Analyst at BIOGRIP over the three days he was there.

Their procurement of the TLWIA is a significant development in water isotope research. The vast majority of existing research in this area has been done in the Northern hemisphere, so there are many unknowns with regards to isotopic compositions and transport mechanisms in the Southern hemisphere water cycle, and lots of novel research to be done. Janine is one of very few researchers in SA to have access to a water isotope analyser that can measure δ¹⁷O, this is due to the advantage of the unique Off-Axis ICOS cavity design.

The TLWIA will be available for internal research, but also for Masters / PhD student projects, and commercial analysis for clients along with other high-end isotope instruments in their new laboratory.

The TLWIA will be a profitable tool for Stellenbosch University, with its low running costs, minimal need for maintenance, and high rate of sample throughput. These are specific advantages to the LGR TLWIA that make it a very desirable acquisition for commercial laboratories and research institutes alike.

For more information on any of the ABB / LGR Liquid Water Isotope Analysers available from Enviro Technology Services Ltd check out our product page or contact ET to speak to a specialist.

www.et.co.uk    01453 733200    info@et.co.uk