Researchers to study how air pollution impacts health
A new research centre at the University of Leicester will study the impact of environmental factors on human health.
The Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability (CEHS) will draw on experts from a wide variety of backgrounds to investigate and mitigate the health problems caused by air pollution, environmental noise and low-level chemical exposures.
The centre will specialise in producing high-quality estimates of air pollution exposure that can be used to better understand the impact on the lungs, infectious disease and childhood development.
The CEHS was formally launched yesterday (July 14) at a virtual event, where guests heard a keynote address from Professor Sir Stephen Holgate, special advisor to the Royal College of Physicians on air quality.
The new centre will be directed by Anna Hansell, chair professor of environmental epidemiology, and chair of the UK Government’s Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP). She said: ‘I am delighted that the official launch of the Centre forms part of the University of Leicester Centenary celebrations.
‘Since being founded in 2018, the Centre research team has grown to 18 people. We have led or participated in research grants totalling £20million, working with 15 research groups across the university, and collaborating with external national and international experts in environmental health.’
The researchers will also collaborate with colleagues at Space Park Leicester on Earth observation and other space-based projects. The University of Leicester also hosts the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)-affiliated National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO).
Professor Nishan Canagarajah, president and vice-chancellor at the University of Leicester, said: ‘We are very pleased to take the next step in Leicester’s contribution to environment research with the launch of our Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability.
‘To be able to formally launch the Centre in the same year that the University marks our Centenary – and our first 100 years of world-changing research and learning – makes this development all the more significant.’
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