Air quality concerns take to the streets

Air quality concerns are taking to the streets in Cumbria, UK, with new paving slabs that suck pollution from the air installed for the first time in the country.

Noxer blocks, pioneered for the traffic-heavy city of Tokyo, has been installed in the much quieter area of Kendal, Cumbria, the Daily Mail have reported. The blocks work by absorbing nitrogen oxide from traffic, using sunlight and a titanium layer to trap fumes.

It has been installed as part of Kendal Regeneration Partnership’s £345,000 revamp plans for the street. Kendal town councillor John McCreesh said the paving was part of their efforts to comply with EU air quality standards. Local councils are liable to be prosecuted by the Government if air quality does not improve.

The primary reason why the technology is not more widespread is because the results are yet to be quantified. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says there is ‘limited evidence’ the paving makes a long-term difference to air quality. However, the council responded to these concerns saying the pavement causes ‘no harm’, and should be a consideration above traditional forms of concrete.

Posted by Claire Manning