Fresh Air for Food Markets: How Tooting Market Cut Pollution by 83%

A team effort in a busy indoor food market has cut peak pollution episodes by 83 per cent. Total worker exposure fell by 41 per cent. The solution did not require a full building overhaul. Instead, the focus was on fixing smoke extraction systems in individual trader units, a far more cost-effective approach. The intervention was initiated following concerns raised by the Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN).

The project succeeded through a clear partnership. The Local Authority designed, led and funded the research to identify the causes of the indoor pollution. The market operator then took charge of remediation, ensuring upgrades were funded by the private sector. This evidence-based strategy targeted the source of the pollution directly, avoiding costly and energy-intensive upgrades to the building's central ventilation.

The case shows that local authorities can effectively improve indoor air quality in commercial settings, even where statutory enforcement powers are limited. The project bridged the gap between minimum legal Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) and stricter health-based recommendations.

The findings also revealed a practical co-benefit. Elevated particulate readings reliably signal that ventilation systems need maintenance. The project has now shifted to an ongoing monitoring phase, using the sensor network to identify and address any operational lapses before they become serious problems.

For full details, read the case study here.