William Eichler 26 April 2023

Toxic air pollution in London exceeds WHO guidelines

Toxic air pollution in London exceeds WHO guidelines  image
Image: Adam Cowell / Shutterstock.com.

Every borough in London exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) limits for toxic air pollution, new data reveals.

Published by City Hall, the air quality data shows that every London borough is breaching WHO guidelines for nitrogen dioxide.

Thirty-one of the 33 London boroughs used diffusion tubes in 2021 to monitor a large number of locations in their area. Bexley and Harrow have not installed these local air quality monitors.

City Hall has now compiled the latest data from 2021 – the first time this data has been brought together – and found that all locations monitored are exceeding global WHO recommended limits for nitrogen dioxide.

Fourteen boroughs have five or more locations monitored that also exceed the less stringent UK legal limit for nitrogen dioxide.

In Brent, Croydon and Merton, more than a quarter of the locations monitored found the air to be breaching legal limits. The data also shows a very similar average pollution concentration in inner and outer London.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: ‘London’s toxic air is leading to children growing up with stunted lungs and causes around 4,000 premature deaths a year – with the greatest number of attributable deaths in London’s outer boroughs.

‘This data is yet more shocking proof that London’s air quality has been in serious breach of the recognised global standard – and it’s a problem in every single part of the capital.’

Mayor Khan has proposed the expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which will see drivers of vehicles that do not meet emissions requirements charged a daily charge.

The London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Hillingdon and Harrow, along with Surrey County Council have challenged this decision.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Strategy Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 10 £38,220 to £41,771 per annum
Would you like an exciting opportunity to make a difference to the lives of families in County Durham? We have a vacancy in our Strategy Team, helpin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Swim Teacher

Durham County Council
£26,403 - £28,598
Durham County Council are looking for an enthusiastic Swim Teachers to join our team.   Wolsingham Leisure Centre – 6.5 hours – Permanent post   WHAT Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Adoption Team Manager

Durham County Council
£50,269 to £54,495 p.a. (Grade 14)
Lead the Future of Adoption in Durham – Team Manager Opportunity Are you ready to make a real impact in children’s lives? Durham’s Adoption Service i Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner