Restaurants trial air purifiers to cut pollution

A central London council is installing air purifiers in restaurants as part of a trial to reduce air pollution caused by frying and grilling food.

Westminster City Council said the pilot would run for three months and would come at no cost to any businesses which signed up.

It aims to track and eventually reduce cooking emissions, which the council said was the third-largest single source of particulate matter (PM2.5) in the borough and come from burning fuels like charcoal, wood and gas.

Eve Seemann, head chef at Apricity in Mayfair, said she hoped the trial would shed light on the impact of cooking emissions on her and her staff.

The restaurant is one of four trialling the new technology. Other restaurants taking part are in the West End, St John's Wood and Victoria, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

"Although our style of cooking may not be as polluting as others, it's important to see what areas we could improve in," Ms Seemann said.

"This data will allow us to see when there's a peak, what caused that peak and what we can do to try and remedy it. I'm glad we are part of finding a solution to reduce air pollution."

PM2.5 particles are found in the air and are small enough to travel deep inside the lungs, heart and brain.

Long-term exposure has been linked to serious health conditions such as heart disease, respiratory illnesses and even cognitive decline.

There are 3,600 registered commercial kitchens in Westminster City, according to the council.

Geoff Barraclough, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said emissions from commercial cooking were a significant air quality and public health challenge in Westminster.

"We want this pilot to raise awareness of air quality issues within the industry, and I hope it encourages other businesses to sign up to participate in the trial," he said.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said the hospitality sector was working to meet its 2040 net zero goal.

"We will continue to engage with key stakeholders, such as local authorities, on collaborative schemes and initiatives, to ensure that the sector is supported in its efforts to becoming carbon net zero and beyond," she said.

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