London Mayor Boris Johnson has announced plans to trial a dust suppressant technology around roads under construction and industrial sites in an effort to improve the capital’s air quality.

Fifteen locations in five boroughs are set to benefit from the technology having received funds and equipment from the Mayor and Transport for London, with the first trial now underway in Lewisham.

The technology captures the harmful pollutant PM10 by sticking it to the ground, preventing it from becoming airborne. The dust suppressant is a solution made up of Calcium Magnesium Acetate that sticks the PM10 particulate matter to the road and prevents it re-circulating in the air and is a biodegradable saline solution.

Boris Johnson said: “Londoners are set to benefit from an unprecedented package of short and long measures to deliver cleaner air. This includes us lending out Transport for London’s successful dust suppressant technology to organisations and boroughs that have identified places, which have high levels of commercial and industrial activity. Further to this, we are working to permanently reduce transport emissions from vans, lorries, taxis, buses and cars to ensure a cleaner city and a higher quality of life for Londoners.”