Officers from each of the 14 local authorities in the two counties have been working together to integrate air quality data and information exchange for many years. In 1999 this co-operation was formalised with the formation of the HBAPM Network, principally to collate and report air quality monitoring results from across the region. In 2003 the network was joined by Luton airport, which carries out its own monitoring within the bounds of the airport.

The network's aims are:

• to provide the public with easy and free access to information about the quality of the air that they are breathing
• to provide regular reports comparing air quality across the region
• to assist in developing local and national strategies to improve air quality
• to set up an archive of monitoring results
• to ensure a consistently high standard of monitoring data across the region.

The equipment used to accurately monitor air pollutants is complex and very sensitive. Consequently, purchase and running costs of each continuous monitoring site are high. By sharing information across the network, the local authorities can create a more comprehensive and detailed picture of pollution levels throughout the two counties. Much of the information contained within this web site is from these continuous monitoring sites. More information can be found on the information page or by downloading the network's simple guide to air pollution.

Click here to see details of the continuous monitoring sites in the network, or use the menu above to navigate through the site.

Users of this site can view:

• Hourly and daily reports comparing air quality data with the national banding system ('low', 'moderate', 'high' or 'very high').
• Graphical trends in air quality over the last week and month.
• Comparison of monitoring results to the Government's Air Quality Strategy Objectives.
• Details of pollution monitoring carried out in each district or borough.
• Monthly network reports describing the distribution and behaviour of air pollutants over the previous month.
• Annual network reports on air quality summarising pollution trends and episodes during the previous year.
• Local Authority reports detailing the results of their air quality Review and Assessment process and, where applicable, their Action Plans describing measures intended to improve air quality in problem areas.
• A data archive of results of monitoring since 1990 (non-continuous data) or 1998 (continuous data).
• More advanced tools for creating timeseries graphs of monitoring data and comparing results to national standards and objectives.

If you have any questions about the network, then please contact the network managers at King's College London directly using the e-mail address that has been set up for this purpose: