Photocatalytic tiles
In April 2015, the Supreme Court instructed the UK government to establish a plan by the end of 2015 to tackle air pollution. The ruling was made following a five year legal battle fought by environmental lawyers ClientEarth after it was revealed that 16 UK cities had been breaching EU limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) since 2010. Nitrogen dioxide is emitted by diesel-fuelled vehicles and can exacerbate health problems such as asthma.
Lawyer Alan Andrews said, “Air pollution kills tens of thousands of people in this country every year. We brought our case because we have a right to breathe clean air and today the Supreme Court has upheld that right.”
The Court’s president, Lord Neuberger, demanded immediate action saying, "the Government must prepare and consult on new air quality plans for submission to the European Commission... no later than December 31 2015".
Marley Eternit, supplier of roofing and cladding products, have suggested that the problem might be tackled by the use of photocatalytic technology, which can be applied to roads and buildings, to remove nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide (NOx) from the air.
Their ‘Ecologic’ range of tiles include a titanium dioxide coating, a granular layer embedded in a slurry fused to the surface of the tiles. In the presence of ultraviolet rays from the sun, this coating acts as a catalyst, accelerating the natural degradation of nitrogen, converting it to nitric acid, which then reacts with excess calcium carbonate in the tiles to form calcium nitrate, which is soluble and harmless and is washed away by rainwater.
Marley Eternit suggest that during the life of an average-sized roof, the tiles will remove NOx from the atmosphere equivalent to that emitted by a modern car covering over 100,000 miles.
Gavin White, product manager at Marley Eternit, said, “If (the government) only addresses the polluter, rather than the pollution itself, then the UK is missing a trick … A better option is to take a two pronged approach and also look to reduce the amount of pollution that is still being produced with the use of photocatalytic technology on our buildings and roads to absorb the toxic mix of NOx generated by road traffic exhaust fumes.”
“Using photocatalytic technology on just one roof has an impact on surrounding air pollution levels, but imagine the impact that thousands or millions of roofs could have.”
Photocatalytic technology is already used in cement on pavements in Japan, America and in the Netherlands.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.