The Environmental Research Group (ERG) recently hosted a visit by a delegation from South Korea. The visit by eight members of the Institute of Health and the Environment of Seoul Metropolitan City was arranged by the London Embassy of the Republic of Korea, and a counsellor accompanied the delegates.

The delegation visited the London Air Quality Network (LAQN) operations room and the Lung Biology Toxicology laboratory, and also engaged in a wide ranging fact finding discussion with ERG staff.

The extent and makeup of monitoring, not just within London but across the whole of the UK, was discussed with particular emphasis on the number of background comparison sites and their importance in accessing roadside hotspot monitoring. The steps taken to ensure data comparability and reliability was covered in depth with a explanation of the different roles involved in the UK, site operators, data managers, equipment service units and independent audit bodies.

Although the makeup and administration of our networks differ from Korea, many of the problems are the same and the pollution contribution from car exhausts and trends in the different pollutants was discussed in some detail.

This is the latest of many international visits to ERG over recent years to discuss best practise in regional network management (the LAQN is the largest regional network in Europe).

Item date 27/09/2012