Top 4 Worst Areas for Air Quality in the UK
Air quality in the United Kingdom varies across different regions and cities. According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the following areas in the UK have the worst air quality:
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Greater London: Greater London has consistently high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution, mainly due to road traffic emissions. In 2022, 16 out of the 20 local authorities in Greater London exceeded the annual legal limit for NO2.
PM2.5 PM10 Relative Sizes
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South Wales: South Wales has high levels of particulate matter (PM) pollution, mainly due to emissions from industrial processes and power plants. In 2022, four out of the five local authorities in South Wales exceeded the annual legal limit for PM10.
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West Midlands: The West Midlands has high levels of NO2 pollution, mainly due to road traffic emissions. In 2022, four out of the seven local authorities in the West Midlands exceeded the annual legal limit for NO2.
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Glasgow: Glasgow has high levels of NO2 pollution, mainly due to road traffic emissions. In 2022, Glasgow exceeded the annual legal limit for NO2.
Are these Always the Worst Places for Air Quality?
It is important to note that air quality can vary significantly within these areas, and there may be pockets of clean air even in areas with generally poor air quality. Additionally, air quality can vary from day to day depending on weather conditions and traffic levels.
Where can I find our more about Air Quality?
Here are some resources that you can use to find information about air quality in your area:
- DEFRA’s Air Quality England website: https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/
- IQAir’s UK air quality map: https://www.iqair.com/uk
- Friends of the Earth’s air pollution data: https://www.foei.org/