Air Quality Survey Launched In Ipswich By Suffolk County Council Public Health

Suffolk County Council Public Health launches an Air Quality survey in the Ipswich area to help inform future intervention in the town. The survey aims to measure current levels of understanding about air quality and current work going on in this area to mitigate its impact, in order to inform future approaches to improve air quality in the town.  

The survey will be supported by an air quality event held on Ipswich Cornhill, on Monday, 24 October, 2022, between 11 am and 3 pm.

Raising awareness

This event will be held in conjunction with local partners, Ipswich Borough Council, the University of Suffolk, the NHS, and Healthwatch Suffolk, and aims to raise awareness of the effects of poor air quality on health and wellbeing, promote work that is currently going on to mitigate those effects and engage with residents about what approaches could be explored to tackle this important health issue.

Cllr Andrew Reid, the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Protection, said: “Poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK, as long-term exposure to air pollution can cause and exacerbate chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer, leading to reduced life expectancy.”

Air quality management areas

He adds, “While air quality levels in Suffolk are generally very good, there are 8 areas known as air quality management areas, in the county, 4 of which are in Ipswich. The survey and engagement event in Ipswich form a part of the work that Suffolk County Council and partners are doing to address this vital issue. I encourage residents to get involved by completing the survey or attending this event you can help inform future work to improve air quality.”