Over 4.5 million Londoners live in areas where air pollution levels are double World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations for at least one of two of the deadliest air pollutants, new analysis by Friends of the Earth reveals today.
Using the latest government air pollution data from across England, Friends of the Earth found that London was the area most badly affected by air pollution. Over 90% of the neighbourhoods in England suffering high pollution from at least one of two of the deadliest air pollutants are in the capital.
Friends of the Earth found:
There were 2,338 high pollution neighbourhoods in London where average levels of either Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) or particulate matter (PM2.5), or both, are at least twice the recommended WHO levels. There are 1,585 schools are in these areas.
In eight London boroughs every neighbourhood was found to have average air pollution levels twice WHO guidelines for at least one of the two pollutants. These boroughs are City of London, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Westminster.
1,331 neighbourhoods in London were found to be double WHO average air pollution guidelines for both NO2 and PM2.5. There are 924 schools in these areas.
Friends of the Earth’s analysis of data across England found that people of colour are three times more likely to live in high air pollution neighbourhoods and half of these neighbourhoods are among the most deprived in England. People living in these areas are also three times less likely to own a car than people living in other areas, meaning they are contributing the least to poor air quality.
Air pollution is one of the UK’s biggest killers, causing around 4,000 early deaths in London every year. Nationally, road traffic is the biggest threat to clean air and the major source of the toxic gas nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the air we breathe.
Road vehicles also produce tiny particles, known as particulate matter (PMs) both from exhaust fumes and wear and tear from brakes and tyres. These can find their way deep into our lungs and even into our bloodstream and organs.
Air pollution hits the most vulnerable the hardest, particularly children who can grow up with reduced lung function if living in an area with poor air quality, but also the elderly who are more likely to have a pre-existing condition worsened by bad air.
Meanwhile, the extent of the problem could be far worse as the analysis is based on the latest air pollution data available which is from 2020, when traffic levels were lower due to Covid-19 lockdown measures. Furthermore, the data is based on average pollution levels within neighbourhoods which means that some locations within these areas, such as by busy roads, will have higher levels of pollution (two times higher or more for NO2 according to an analysis of roadside monitoring in Manchester).
Jenny Bates, Friends of the Earth’s air pollution campaigner, said:
“It’s a scandal that so many Londoners are living in neighbourhoods where average air pollution levels are twice the average World Health Organisation guidelines for deadly air pollution.
“Millions of people are suffering the effects of living in the most polluted neighbourhoods – with the most deprived communities and people of colour the hardest hit.
“Liz Truss and the Mayor must get to grips with this public health emergency, which kills thousands of Londoners prematurely every year, with a package of measures to clean up our air, including cutting car use.”
