Noise pollution is something many Londoners either put up with or simply accept as an unavoidable...
Dust and light pollution can have a substantial negative impact on those working on a construction project and the surrounding communities, so it is vital that effective solutions are found to mitigate them.
They pose a host of health risks, can slow down a project's progress, and can lead to substantial reputational damage if not addressed from the start.
Here, we look at the problem of dust and light pollution in construction and what can be done to limit their harm.
Our research
Urban Thinking has recently conducted a survey of Londoners, asking them about the impact construction has on their lives.
We asked them about when they had been affected negatively by dust and light pollution from construction, and the survey results make for stark reading.
Of the people asked, 66% said they had been impacted by dust or light pollution at least once in the last year, with 8% saying they had been impacted weekly or more.
Dust and light pollution affect most Londoners, and it would not surprise us if the same were true of the UK’s other big cities and towns.
The health implications
Dust pollution can cause a host of health issues.
Inhaling the dust can be highly hazardous, including significantly raising the risk of diseases such as lung cancer, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
It can affect not only the people working on site but also those living nearby.
Light pollution has been shown to cause mental ill health, raising the likelihood of developing anxiety, stress or sleeping disorders – and can even increase the risk of obesity and diabetes.
Both dust and light pollution need to be tackled as part of the planning process for a development or large infrastructure project so that effective solutions can be implemented from day one.
Disruption
In addition to the health risks, dust and light pollution can significantly disrupt the lives of people who live nearby.
The success of most projects, particularly large ones, depends on the communities surrounding them buying into the vision and understanding its potential benefits.
Once dust starts settling on their cars and they are kept up all night with floodlights beaming through their windows, that goodwill will evaporate, bringing in its place poor public perception of the project.
A well-planned project, with properly mitigated dust and light pollution strategies, will ensure those who live in the area see a project as a boost for the community rather than a nuisance.
The solutions
At Urban Thinking, we provide a range of environmental impact services, including mapping and modelling both dust and light pollution.
We can monitor where dust and light pollution will be an issue and devise solutions to limit their impact, keeping all stakeholders safe and free from disturbance.
We offer specialist advice to ensure that best practice is followed, minimising the risk, discomfort, and inconvenience caused by dust and light so a project can go ahead without disruption.
For more information on Urban Thinking’s environmental impact services, see here.
