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All Outputs (23)

Insights into technical challenges in the field of microplastic pollution through the lens of early career researchers (ECRs) and a proposed pathway forward (2023)
Journal Article
Danopoulos, E., Stanton, T., Ma, Y., Horton, A. A., Chen, Q., Levermore, J. M., …Nel, H. A. (2023). Insights into technical challenges in the field of microplastic pollution through the lens of early career researchers (ECRs) and a proposed pathway forward. Frontiers in Earth Science, 11, Article 1271547. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2023.1271547

Early career researchers (ECR) face a series of challenges related to the inherent difficulties of starting their careers. Microplastic (MP) research is a topical field attracting high numbers of ECRs with diverse backgrounds and expertise from a wea... Read More about Insights into technical challenges in the field of microplastic pollution through the lens of early career researchers (ECRs) and a proposed pathway forward.

Embedding citizens within airborne microplastic and microfibre research (2023)
Journal Article
Williams, B., De Vito, L., Margarida Sardo, A., Pringle, K., Hansen, M., Taylor, M., …Hayes, E. (2023). Embedding citizens within airborne microplastic and microfibre research. Cambridge Prisms: Plastics, 1(e11), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1017/plc.2023.11

Microplastics are ubiquitous in our environment but their presence in air is less well understood. Homes are likely a key source of airborne microplastics and microfibres to the environment owing to the frequent use and storage of plastics and textil... Read More about Embedding citizens within airborne microplastic and microfibre research.

The application of ‘elite interviewing’ methodology in transdisciplinary research: A record of process and lessons learned during a 3-year pilot in urban planetary health research (2021)
Journal Article
Scally, G., Black, D., Pilkington, P., Williams, B., Ige-Elegbede, J., & Prestwood, E. (2021). The application of ‘elite interviewing’ methodology in transdisciplinary research: A record of process and lessons learned during a 3-year pilot in urban planetary health research. Journal of Urban Health, 98(3), 404-414. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-021-00542-1

This paper sets out the rationale and process for the interviewing methodology utilized during a 3-year research pilot, ‘Moving Health Upstream in Urban Development’ (UPSTREAM). The project had two primary aims: firstly, to attempt to value economica... Read More about The application of ‘elite interviewing’ methodology in transdisciplinary research: A record of process and lessons learned during a 3-year pilot in urban planetary health research.

Overcoming systemic barriers preventing healthy urban development in the UK: Main findings from interviewing senior decision-makers during a 3-year planetary health pilot (2021)
Journal Article
Black, D., Pilkington, P., Williams, B., Ige, J., Prestwood, E., Hunt, A., …Scally, G. (2021). Overcoming systemic barriers preventing healthy urban development in the UK: Main findings from interviewing senior decision-makers during a 3-year planetary health pilot. Journal of Urban Health, 98, 415-427. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-021-00537-y

This paper sets out the main findings from two rounds of interviews with senior representatives from the UK’s urban development industry: the third and final phase of a 3-year pilot, Moving Health Upstream in Urban Development’ (UPSTREAM). The projec... Read More about Overcoming systemic barriers preventing healthy urban development in the UK: Main findings from interviewing senior decision-makers during a 3-year planetary health pilot.

A framework for assessing the contribution of UK local authorities toward compliance with the EU ambient air quality directive (2021)
Journal Article
Fremantle, K., De Vito, L., Williams, B., & Longhurst, J. (2022). A framework for assessing the contribution of UK local authorities toward compliance with the EU ambient air quality directive. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 65(2), 356-373. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2021.1888698

Implementation outcomes of the Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) (2008/50/EC)) are weak across European Union (EU) member states. In the UK, Local Authorities (LAs) must work toward reducing air pollution, however, means of assessing the extent an... Read More about A framework for assessing the contribution of UK local authorities toward compliance with the EU ambient air quality directive.

Designing healthier neighbourhoods: A systematic review of the impact of the neighbourhood design on health and wellbeing (2020)
Journal Article
Ige-Elegbede, J., Pilkington, P., Orme, J., Williams, B., Prestwood, E., Black, D., & Carmichael, L. (2022). Designing healthier neighbourhoods: A systematic review of the impact of the neighbourhood design on health and wellbeing. Cities and Health, 6(5), 1004-1019. https://doi.org/10.1080/23748834.2020.1799173

Several studies have investigated the impact of neighbourhood design on health and wellbeing, yet there are limited reviews investigating the quality of the evidence and the most effective interventions at a population level. This systematic review a... Read More about Designing healthier neighbourhoods: A systematic review of the impact of the neighbourhood design on health and wellbeing.

The legacy of COVID-19: Lessons and challenges for city-scale air quality management in the UK (2020)
Journal Article
De Vito, L., Barnes, J., Longhurst, J., Williams, B., & Hayes, E. (2022). The legacy of COVID-19: Lessons and challenges for city-scale air quality management in the UK. Cities and Health, 5(1), S170-S173. https://doi.org/10.1080/23748834.2020.1796422

The lockdown enforced by the UK Government to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to an unparalleled reduction in traffic volumes and significant drop in nitrogen dioxide concentrations in most cities, although the picture emerging fro... Read More about The legacy of COVID-19: Lessons and challenges for city-scale air quality management in the UK.

Healthy buildings for a healthy city: Is the public health evidence base informing current building policies? (2020)
Journal Article
Carmichael, L., Prestwood, E., Marsh, R., Ige, J., Williams, B., Pilkington, P., …Michalec, A. (2020). Healthy buildings for a healthy city: Is the public health evidence base informing current building policies?. Science of the Total Environment, 719, Article 137146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137146

Research has demonstrated that housing quality is a key urban intervention in reducing health risks and improving climate resilience, addressing a key ambition of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Yet housing quality remains a problem... Read More about Healthy buildings for a healthy city: Is the public health evidence base informing current building policies?.

Risk of respiratory hospital admission associated with modelled concentrations of Aspergillus fumigatus from composting facilities in England (2020)
Journal Article
Roca-Barcelo, A., Douglas, P., Fecht, D., Sterrantino, A. F., Williams, B., Blangiardo, M., …Hansell, A. L. (2020). Risk of respiratory hospital admission associated with modelled concentrations of Aspergillus fumigatus from composting facilities in England. Environmental Research, 183, Article 108949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.108949

Bioaerosols have been associated with adverse respiratory-related health effects and are emitted in elevated concentrations from composting facilities. We used modelled Aspergillus fumigatus concentrations, a good indicator for bioaerosol emissions,... Read More about Risk of respiratory hospital admission associated with modelled concentrations of Aspergillus fumigatus from composting facilities in England.

Estimating Aspergillus fumigatus exposure from outdoor composting activities in England between 2005 and 14 (2018)
Journal Article
Williams, B., Douglas, P., Roca Barcelo, A., Hansell, A., & Hayes, E. (2019). Estimating Aspergillus fumigatus exposure from outdoor composting activities in England between 2005 and 14. Waste Management, 84, 235-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2018.11.044

Bioaerosols, ubiquitous in ambient air, are released in elevated concentrations from composting facilities with open-air processing areas. However, spatial and temporal variability of bioaerosols, particularly in relation to meteorology, is not well... Read More about Estimating Aspergillus fumigatus exposure from outdoor composting activities in England between 2005 and 14.

A controlled study on the characterisation of bioaerosols emissions from compost (2018)
Journal Article
Nasir, Z., Rolph, C., Collins, S., Stevenson, D., Gladding, T., Hayes, E., …Tyrrel, S. (2018). A controlled study on the characterisation of bioaerosols emissions from compost. Atmosphere, 9(10), https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos9100379

© 2018 by the authors. Bioaerosol emissions arising from biowaste treatment are an issue of public concern. To better characterise the bioaerosols, and to assess a range of measurement methods, we aerosolised green waste compost under controlled cond... Read More about A controlled study on the characterisation of bioaerosols emissions from compost.

Sources of airborne endotoxins in ambient air and exposure of nearby communities-A review (2018)
Journal Article
Rolph, C., Gwyther, C., Tyrrel, S., Nasir, Z., Drew, G. H., Jackson, S., …Gladding, T. (2018). Sources of airborne endotoxins in ambient air and exposure of nearby communities-A review. Atmosphere, 9(10), 375. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos9100375

© 2018 by the authors. Endotoxin is a bioaerosol component that is known to cause respiratory effects in exposed populations. To date, most research focused on occupational exposure, whilst much less is known about the impact of emissions from indus... Read More about Sources of airborne endotoxins in ambient air and exposure of nearby communities-A review.

The relationship between buildings and health: A systematic review (2018)
Journal Article
Ige, J., Pilkington, P., Orme, J., Williams, B., Prestwood, E., Black, D., …Scally, G. (2019). The relationship between buildings and health: A systematic review. Journal of Public Health, 41(2), E121-E132. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdy138

© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of 268 Public Health. All rights reserved. Background The built environment exerts one of the strongest directly measurable effects on physical and mental health, yet the... Read More about The relationship between buildings and health: A systematic review.

Scoping studies to establish the capability and utility of a real-time bioaerosol sensor to characterise emissions from environmental sources (2018)
Journal Article
Nasir, Z. A., Hayes, E., Williams, B., Gladding, T., Rolph, C., Khera, S., …Tyrrel, S. (2019). Scoping studies to establish the capability and utility of a real-time bioaerosol sensor to characterise emissions from environmental sources. Science of the Total Environment, 648, 25-32

A novel dual excitation wavelength based bioaerosol sensor with multiple fluorescence bands called Spectral Intensity Bioaerosol Sensor (SIBS) has been assessed across five contrasting outdoor environments. The mean concentrations of total and fluore... Read More about Scoping studies to establish the capability and utility of a real-time bioaerosol sensor to characterise emissions from environmental sources.

Claircity project: Citizen-led scenarios to improve air quality in European cities (2018)
Journal Article
Hayes, E., King, A., Callum, A., Williams, B., Vanherle, K., Boushel, C., …Longhurst, J. (2018). Claircity project: Citizen-led scenarios to improve air quality in European cities. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 230, 233-241. https://doi.org/10.2495/AIR180221

© 2018 WIT Press. Air pollution has as significant impact on the health of European citizens, particularly in urban areas, and was responsible for more than 400,000 premature deaths in Europe in 2014. It is within our cities where this public health... Read More about Claircity project: Citizen-led scenarios to improve air quality in European cities.

Use of dispersion modelling for Environmental Impact Assessment of biological air pollution from composting: Progress, problems and prospects (2017)
Journal Article
Tyrrel, S. F., Williams, W. B., Douglas, P., Hayes, E. T., Kinnersley, R. P., Walsh, K., …Drew, G. H. (2017). Use of dispersion modelling for Environmental Impact Assessment of biological air pollution from composting: Progress, problems and prospects. Waste Management, 70, 22-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2017.08.023

© 2017 The Authors With the increase in composting as a sustainable waste management option, biological air pollution (bioaerosols) from composting facilities have become a cause of increasing concern due to their potential health impacts. Estimating... Read More about Use of dispersion modelling for Environmental Impact Assessment of biological air pollution from composting: Progress, problems and prospects.

The challenges, uncertainties and opportunities of bioaerosol dispersion modelling from open composting facilities (2017)
Journal Article
Williams, B., Hayes, E. T., Nasir, Z., Rolph, C., Jackson, S., Khera, S., …Tyrrel, S. (2017). The challenges, uncertainties and opportunities of bioaerosol dispersion modelling from open composting facilities. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 211, 51-59. https://doi.org/10.2495/AIR170051

© 2017 WIT Press. Bioaerosols are ubiquitous organic particles that comprise viruses, bacteria and coarser fractions of organic matter. Known to adversely affect human health, the impact of bioaerosols on a population often manifests as outbreaks of... Read More about The challenges, uncertainties and opportunities of bioaerosol dispersion modelling from open composting facilities.

A review of evidence on the cost-effectiveness of local authority activities to reduce exposure to air pollution from road traffic (2017)
Journal Article
Barnes, J., & Williams, B. (2017). A review of evidence on the cost-effectiveness of local authority activities to reduce exposure to air pollution from road traffic. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 211, 3-13. https://doi.org/10.2495/AIR170011

© 2017 WIT Press. This paper presents a systematic review of evidence of the cost-effectiveness of local authority activities to reduce exposure to air pollution from road traffic. The work was undertaken as part of an evidence review for the Nationa... Read More about A review of evidence on the cost-effectiveness of local authority activities to reduce exposure to air pollution from road traffic.

A critical review of the robustness of the UK government’s air quality plan and expected compliance dates (2016)
Journal Article
Williams, B., Barnes, J., Chatterton, T., Hayes, E. T., & Longhurst, J. (2016). A critical review of the robustness of the UK government’s air quality plan and expected compliance dates. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 207, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.2495/AIR160011

Globally, poor air quality is the most significant environmental health concern. Across Europe, 400,000 deaths were attributed to air pollution in 2012, whilst in the UK over 50,000 deaths per year are due to a combination of gaseous and particulate... Read More about A critical review of the robustness of the UK government’s air quality plan and expected compliance dates.

Sixty years since the 1956 Clean Air Act: Are we really doing enough to reduce air pollution?​ (2016)
Journal Article
Williams, B. (2016). Sixty years since the 1956 Clean Air Act: Are we really doing enough to reduce air pollution?​

In the year that the UK’s Clean Air Act turns sixty, the head of public health at the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared air pollution as a global health emergency [1]. Globally, air pollution is responsible for 7 million premature deaths per y... Read More about Sixty years since the 1956 Clean Air Act: Are we really doing enough to reduce air pollution?​.