East Suffolk Council
Clean Air Day
Air pollution is real and harms the health of millions. But there are lots of simple things we can do to improve air quality and look after our health. Clean Air Day, taking place on 8 October 2020, is a chance to find out more about air pollution, share information with friends and colleagues, and help make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.
Due to the pandemic, Clean Air Day looks a little different this year. During the Covid-19 lockdown, we experienced cleaner air and it's important to keep up that momentum. This year, the Clean Air Day campaign is online.
In 2019, East Suffolk Council supported Clean Air Day by:
- Running weekly anti-idling events outside local schools in the lead up to Clean Air Day
- Inviting Key Stage 2 pupils to participate in an Air Quality lesson at the Council offices, which they could then deliver to their peers on Clean Air Day
- Encouraging staff to make air quality pledges
- Running an awareness campaign about indoor air quality
- Publishing advice notes to residents about domestic burning
Anti-idling
Anti-idling events are a great way to engage with drivers, educate them about the impact of idling on local air quality, and encourage them to switch off their engines.
Research has shown that idling events can decrease local air pollution levels in that particular area. Our Air Quality Officers were stationed outside 7 primary schools in the run up to Clean Air Day with advice leaflets.
School Air Quality Ambassadors
In 2019, we invited primary schools to elect Air Quality Ambassadors from Key Stage 2, to represent their school and engage in an air quality lesson at the Council Offices prior to Clean Air Day. The pupils then took the resources back to their schools to deliver the lesson to their peers on Clean Air Day.
- Key Stage 2 Lesson Plan
- Lichen Bio-Indicator Observation
- My Clean Air Superhero
- Comic Strip Template
- Word Search
Make a Pledge
In 2019, members of the public made pledges for Clean Air day which were tweeted by the Council using #CleanAirDay.
Indoor Air Quality
The UK population spends up to 90% of its time indoors which means that the air we are most exposed to is inside our buildings. Ahead of Clean Air Day, Council staff completed a checklist with guidance on keeping air healthy within the home.
You can download and complete the checklist should you wish.
Domestic Burning
Open fires and wood-burning stoves have risen in popularity in recent years, however many people are unaware that smoke from burning causes harmful air pollution.
We can work together to improve the quality of the air we breathe.
This leaflet provides simple guidance for those that need to use wood burning stoves or open fires on how to reduce environmental and health impacts, as well as:
- Maximising efficiency, meaning you burn less fuel
- Reducing the risk of chimney fires
- Reducing smoke and carbon monoxide which can be harmful to you and your neighbours