Restaurants trial air purifiers to cut pollution

Westminster City Council has launched a three-month trial of air purifiers in restaurants across central London to mitigate pollution from cooking emissions. The program aims to monitor and ultimately reduce particulate matter (PM2. 5), which is a significant health hazard linked to serious conditions like heart disease and cognitive decline. Four restaurants, including Apricity in Mayfair, are part of the initiative, which incurs no costs for the businesses involved. Chef Eve Seemann mentioned the importance of understanding the impact of cooking emissions, stating that the data will help identify peak pollution times and possible remedies.

The council highlighted that commercial cooking is the third-largest source of PM2. 5 in Westminster, with 3,600 registered commercial kitchens in the area. Geoff Barraclough, a council member, noted the trial's goal of raising awareness about air quality issues within the hospitality industry. Additionally, Kate Nicholls of UKHospitality emphasized the sector's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. This initiative reflects a growing trend among local authorities to address air quality challenges collaboratively with businesses.