AB Ports doubles its air quality network with EarthSense Zephyr monitors

Associated British Ports (ABP), has purchased a further 11 EarthSense Zephyr air quality monitors, doubling its existing network.

EarthSense has provided ABP with its air quality monitoring service since July 2022 and its monitors now make up one of the largest privately owned networks of air quality monitoring systems in the UK. The network of monitors is installed at various ports, harbours, docks and piers around the country, helping ABP to monitor the levels of air pollution and achieve its aim of making its operations net zero from 2040.

Locations include Lowestoft, King’s Lynn, Hull, Immingham, Troon, Barrow-in-Furness, Newport, and Barry.

Alan Tinline, ABP Group Head of Health, Safety and Environment, said: “Installing these new monitors allows us to expand and improve our network of air quality monitors and will help us meet the air quality targets we have set ourselves as part of our sustainability strategy, ‘Ready for Tomorrow’. Air quality is an important theme within our strategy as it affects not only our employees and customers, but also the local communities surrounding our ports. We acknowledge we have a role to play in improving air quality, which we actively work with port users and the wider community to improve.”

EarthSense’s solution of Zephyr air quality monitors powered by solar panels, used with MappAir modelling and MyAir data portal enables ABP to monitor, analyse, and make informed decisions on how to outperform national ambient air quality objectives and make its ports sustainable.

This is particularly important in ports located near urban centres, such as Southampton. The national objective for the average annual nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration is no more than 40 micrograms per cubic metre. ABP Southampton averages 29 micrograms per cubic metre.

EarthSense’s award-winning service helps local authorities and commercial businesses to visualise and understand the levels of air quality in their local area. The Zephyr monitors take live measurements of harmful gases and particulates in the air, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitric oxide (NO), ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10).

Pollution measurements are supplemented by MappAir modelling data, which provides context for locations where monitors have not been deployed. Air quality data can be accessed, analysed, and downloaded through MyAir, which is available for businesses and local authorities to deliver live portals for the public to understand air quality in their area.