Policy refinement

In the EU, emissions from vehicles and ambient air itself are regulated in terms of total PM, with no specific targeting of one component or another. While this is clearly prudent in that it potentially drives reductions in all components of PM, it is also inefficient if some components are more toxic than others.

The project seeks to elucidate the more toxic components of the pollution mix in London, with particular emphasis on traffic. If successful this will inform a more focussed and more efficient policy process for regulating vehicle emissions and ambient air quality. As well as regulating vehicle emissions and ambient air, policy makers – particularly at local and regional government level - can influence air pollution impacts through traffic management and wider planning decisions.

Here the project will provide better information on spatial and temporal exposures and their relation to adverse impacts of air quality. This dynamic exposure information will be a major step forward in assessing the scope for more focussed traffic and infrastructure planning and management in London, with possible applications elsewhere in the UK.