Most of Britain’s biggest high streets have air pollution levels above World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations, according to a new study.
Sustainable energy business GRIDSERVE conducted air pollution spot checks in 25 towns and cities across Britain to test the levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
Exposure to PM2.5 can provoke stroke, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the WHO has said.
Just six of the 25 high streets in the study had an average reading of 5 µg/m3 or lower of particulate matter, the limited specified by the WHO.
The average reading was 7.2 µg/m3, with the highest average levels in Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle, and Leicester.
Glasgow and Edinburgh had the lowest levels of particulate matter. Scotland was the first country in Europe to adopt the WHO recommended limit for particulate matter in 2016.
