The IAQM and IES are consulting members on their new guidance Good practice on air quality monitoring for brownfield projects (pdf). This guidance has been developed by a dedicated cross-sector working group, composed of members of the IAQM and IES Land Condition Community.

The intention of the document is to provide readers with examples of good practice for designing and undertaking ambient air quality monitoring on remediation sites and other types of brownfield sites. It focuses on emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but many of the principles can be applied to other volatile airborne pollutants resulting from remediation of land contamination, which can have associated health effects and/or odours.   

The guidance aims to improve collaboration between those working in the contaminated land and air quality disciplines, be they consultants, developers or regulators, and increase understanding between the different topics. It describes good practice in the approach to monitoring ambient air contaminants during remediation; sets out an integrated and proactive approach to be adopted from planning to completion; provides suggestions for comprehensive analysis against a wider range of criteria to protect the health of communities during remediation; and outlines recommendations for communicating risk to stakeholders.

We welcome comments from the membership on the contents of the guidance. Comments should be restricted to the clarity and purposes of the document. We are aware a small number of stylistic changes may be required, and these will be picked up in the final version.

The consultation period will be for four weeks and will close at 5pm on Tuesday 15th July. Please send your comments before that date to info@iaqm.co.uk.