Emma works for Stantec – advisors in sustainable engineering, architecture and environment.

She tests air quality and smell to make sure new buildings aren’t releasing air pollution that would harm humans or the environment.

Emma uses air quality detectors to get real-time readings of air pollutant concentrations. Then she inputs that into computer programmes to predict air quality of the future.

Emma works with councils to help them achieve their air quality aims, and to help them raise awareness of the impacts of air pollution in their local areas. 

“Air quality consultants need to have their nose tested in a laboratory roughly every six months! This is to make sure our nose represents the average population – we don’t want our nose to be too sensitive or not sensitive enough as we need to be able to detect odours that most people can smell.”

Earning: Graduates start on ~ £25,000 – £30,000

Workplace: Emma is mainly desk-based, but she also goes out to inspect sites. She uses her nose and attaches air quality detectors – little diffusion tubes – to lampposts. Some days Emma is studying the air pollution from cards on small country lanes and other days at large power stations!

Emma works with the teams involved in planning new buildings, that includes town and transport planners, architects and environment experts.

Best bit? “Working on really interesting planning applications, and getting to visits the developments I’ve worked on once they’re built.”