Welcome
Welcome to the National Institute for Health and Care Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Environmental Exposures and Health at Imperial College London.
This HPRU is a partnership between Imperial College London and the UK Health Security Agency, in collaboration with King’s College London and the MRC Toxicology Unit, Cambridge.
We have strong links with the Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards HPRU and the MRC Centre for Environment and Health and to ensure we operate as a highly collaborative matrix, analogous to the UK Health Security Agency’s multi-functional, single-agency model, we have created a Joint Steering Committee, Training Programme Committee, Public and Community Involvement, Engagement and Participation Committee and Public and Community Oversight Group.
This HPRU brings together our expertise in air quality measurement and modelling, exposure assessment, conducting large-scale epidemiological studies, biomarkers and disease mechanisms and chemical toxicology of fibres and particles to produce the scientific evidence needed to support the effective protection of the population from these environmental hazards.
Mission
The mission of this HPRU is to undertake the highest quality research on the health effects associated with exposure to a range of environmental pollutants, including those in the ambient and indoor settings. Our aims are to improve the understanding of the distribution, determinants and pathways linking these exposures to health effects, to provide scientific evidence that will impact directly on public health practice and policy, and to train the next generation of research leaders in environment and health.
Research
The research programme is organised into four complementary themes focusing on furthering understanding of the risk of ambient and indoor air pollutants on health, by examining a range of adverse endpoints in specific population subgroups (e.g. adverse birth outcomes and cognitive function in school children) and in specific locations (indoor, homes and offices, transport micro-environments including the London Underground).
In addition, we will look at emerging exposure issues including e-cigarettes, microplastics, illicit and herbal drug use and brake and tyre wear toxicology.
Theme I - Challenges
1. What are the exposures to toxicants from all environmental sources and consumer products in different populations?
2. Can models be developed to predict exposure?
3. What is the public perception of risk from these toxicants and how are potential risks best communicated?
Theme III - Challenges
1. What biomarkers emerge following acute exposure to different air pollutants and do they discriminate between different sources?
2. Are non-exhaust PM emissions (brake, tyre and road wear) of toxicological relevance and what are the relative toxicities of exhaust PM and NO2?
3. What are the relative toxicities of e-cigarette components?
Theme II - Challenges
1. What are the impacts of air pollution on birth outcomes, cognitive development, mental health and dementia in later life ?
2. What are the impacts of traffic related air pollution on school children’s neurodevelopment and overall health and to what extent does the ULEZ mitigate against any adverse effects ?
3. What, if any, is the impact of air pollution on the London Underground?
Theme IV - Challenges
1. Do microplastics have detrimental human health effects?
2. What are the potential health consequences of waste fires on local populations?
3. What are the health impacts of living near biomass electricity generating installations or being exposed to waste fire emissions?
Latest News
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Digital screens help monitor London’s air quality
Posted on March 25, 2022Continue readingClear Channel and experts from Imperial College London have joined forces for a first-of-its-kind pilot, integrating air quality sensors into digital advertising displays in Barking & Dagenham. Read More. Bloomberg also reports on the story, read their article here.
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High air pollution warning issued for London
Posted on March 23, 2022Continue reading“High air pollution warning issued for London” BBC News – “A high air pollution warning has been issued for London for the first time since August 2020, City Hall has said. The Mayor of London warned that the capital is “importing pollution from the continent” alongside a build-up of local emissions. An Imperial College London […]
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Environmental researchers join New Scientist Live Manchester 12-14 March 2022
Posted on March 16, 2022Continue readingMembers of the MRC Centre for Environment and Health, the Health Protection Research Units (NIHR HPRU) in Environmental Exposures and Health, and in Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards from Imperial College London, and UK Health Security Agency, together with project partners from the University of Manchester and Queen Mary University of London attended the New Scientist […]
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‘What London’s new clean air plan means for lungs and pockets’
Posted on March 14, 2022Continue readingDr Gary Fuller [School of Public Health] talks to the Evening Standard about the impact of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone and discusses the increase in toxic air post COVID as commuters return to work. Listen to the Podcast here.
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Chair of House of Commons Science Committee visits White City
Posted on March 9, 2022Continue readingGreg Clark MP, Chair of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, visited the Environmental Research Group as part of his visit to the White City Campus on 7th March, 2020. Read here for more information.
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WHO air quality safety targets achievable across most of the UK by 2030 – Report Pathway to WHO: achieving clean air in the UK
Posted on March 8, 2022Continue readingYou can find out more about the Pathway to WHO: achieving clean air in the UK and the report by following this link.