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A Practical Green Infrastructure Intervention to Mitigate Air Pollution in a UK School Playground

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  • María del Carmen Redondo Bermúdez

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK)

  • Rohit Chakraborty

    (Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK)

  • Ross W. Cameron

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK)

  • Beverley J. Inkson

    (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK)

  • Maria Val Martin

    (Plants, Photosynthesis and Soil, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK)

Abstract

Air pollution severely compromises children’s health and development, causing physical and mental implications. We have explored the use of site-specific green infrastructure (green barriers) in a school playground in Sheffield, UK, as an air-pollution-mitigation measure to improve children’s environment. The study assessed air quality pre-post intervention and compared it with two control sites. Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and particulate matter <2.5 µm in size (PM 2.5 ) concentration change was assessed via three methods: (1) continuous monitoring with fixed devices (de-seasonalised); (2) monthly monitoring with diffusion tubes (spatial analysis); (3) intermittent monitoring with a mobile device at children’s height (spatial analysis). De-seasonalised results indicate a reduction of 13% for NO 2 and of 2% for PM 2.5 in the school playground after two years of plant establishment. Further reductions in NO 2 levels (25%) were observed during an exceptionally low mobility period (first COVID-19 lockdown); this is contrary to PM 2.5 levels, which increased. Additionally, particles captured by a green barrier plant, Hedera helix ‘Woerner’, were observed and analysed using SEM/EDX techniques. Particle elemental analysis suggested natural and potential anthropogenic origins, potentially signalling vehicle traffic. Overall, green barriers are a valid complementary tool to improve school air quality, with quantifiable and significant air pollution changes even in our space-constrained site.

Suggested Citation

  • María del Carmen Redondo Bermúdez & Rohit Chakraborty & Ross W. Cameron & Beverley J. Inkson & Maria Val Martin, 2023. "A Practical Green Infrastructure Intervention to Mitigate Air Pollution in a UK School Playground," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:2:p:1075-:d:1027314
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Apparicio, Philippe & Gelb, Jérémy & Carrier, Mathieu & Mathieu, Marie-Ève & Kingham, Simon, 2018. "Exposure to noise and air pollution by mode of transportation during rush hours in Montreal," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 182-192.
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