Agenda item

Air Pollution at St Bartholomew's Hospital - Update

Director of Markets and Consumer Protection

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection in respect of air pollution at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.  Members noted that in March 2019, the Chairman had written to Bart’s Health NHS Trust’s Chief Executive enquiring as to the hospital’s plans to mitigate high levels of air pollution.  The letter resulted in a site visit, which found that the combined heat, cooling and power plant (CCHP) had not been operating as expected and this was rectified in May 2019. During the site visit, officers became aware of significant fumes in the car park.

 

During the discussion and questions, the following points were raised:

 

           Monitoring data was not currently available to establish whether the modifications undertaken had been effective in reducing levels of air pollution. The City Corporation would continue to work with Bart’s in producing sound data. 

 

           The recommended safe level for annual average concentration of nitrogen dioxide levels are 40 per cubic metre and St Barts had shown 60 per cubic metre in 2017.  This increase had co-incided with the operation of a new energy centre located South West of the monitoring site. Members noted Barts was increasing further in size, with two new blocks planned.

 

           Chemiluminescent analysers (CLAs), which are used widely across the Square Mile, provide a much finer detail that diffusion tubes, which cannot detect peaks and troughs.  Diffusion tubes are in place at Barts’ and Members noted that CLAs would need to be hired and calibrated fortnightly and, therefore, they could only be installed with Barts’ approval.  There was a suggestion that, given that nearby business premises were likely to be affected, could they be asked to accommodate the equipment?  Members noted that the equipment would need to be placed very close to the source and readings would be distorted if a premises was either up or down wind. 

 

           Under the Medium Combustion Plant Directive, the Environmental Agency were investigating all equipment but it was not known when they would review Barts.  The Local Authority can apply for an ‘Empty Permit’ to obtain information and Members noted that Barts had been served this notice. 

 

           Local Authorities have the right to monitor ambient air as part of air quality management and, under the Local Government Public Health Act, the City of London Corporation has a statutory right to scrutinise the NHS and can ask Barts to attend a future meeting of this Committee. 

 

RESOLVED, that :

 

1.         The report be noted.

 

2.         Officers be instructed to obtain costings for installation of CLAs and invite Bart’s to attend the next meeting of the Committee.

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