A NEW machine which monitors air quality has been set up in Kidderminster town centre. 

The ‘Zephyr’ system, designed and manufactured by firm Earthsense, is a new generation of electrochemical monitoring systems and has been installed in Blackwell Street.

It is solar-powered and monitors nitrogen dioxide.

It's the first site in Worcestershire to measure Particulate Matter PM10 and PM2.5.

The system monitors the air quality of the local area and provides Worcestershire Regulatory Services with accurate information when poor episodes of air quality occur.

Data from the system is also shared with a national air quality database which can be accessed by residents to check air quality levels.

This is important to residents with health conditions such as heart and lung disease, as poor air quality conditions can impact their health. The data provided by the new system gives a clearer indication of air quality levels in the area and when vulnerable residents should limit their exposure.

Technical Services Manager at Worcestershire Regulatory Services, Mark Cox, said: “This is an incredible advancement in ensuring Worcestershire’s streets are clean and safe.”

“The system has been funded under the Churchfields Regeneration Project and is a step forward into giving the industrial area a new lease of life.”