The Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM) has announced an open consultation period for its newly developed guidance, "Good Practice on Air Quality Monitoring for Brownfield Projects." This document has been collaboratively created by a dedicated cross-sector working group, comprising members from the IAQM itself and the IES Land Condition Community and it is now open for comments. The consultation period will be for four weeks and will close at 5pm on Monday 15th July.

   Sites that previously hosted an industrial plant (known as Brownfield sites), present valuable opportunities for revitalizing inner city areas and supporting urban growth. In the UK, planning policy encourages a “Brownfield First” approach, prioritizing the redevelopment of previously used land. However, these sites often require extensive cleanup to address contamination—particularly from hydrocarbons and chlorinated compounds—which, if left untreated, can seep into the soil, groundwater, and surface water, posing environmental risks. Often these areas emit odours that could affect people living in that area after development.

   This guide is designed to help municipalities create ordinances to regulate and control nuisance odors as part of their legal responsibility to manage urban environmental quality.

   Under Article 25 of Law 7/1985 (as amended by Law 27/2013), municipalities must manage the urban environment—including protection from noise, light, and air pollution—according to state and regional laws.

G. Arisa¹, R. Bustos², C. Izquierdo³, J. Burbano⁴, A. Amo⁵

¹ Av. Corts Catalanes, 5, 08173 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona / Nave 3
² Avda. Joaquina Eguaras nº2 -18013 Granada
³ C/Uribitarte, Nº6, Planta Baja. 48001 Bilbao
⁴ C/ Vilamarí, 50 Barcelona
⁵ Parque científico de Alicante, Zona ampliación del Campus  Nave 6, 03690 Sant Vicent del Raspeig (Alicante)

*antonio.amo@suez.com