
Air pollution and the campaign for clean air – what you need to know

Air pollution facts and figures
36,000
premature deaths a year in the UK linked with air pollution
2,091
schools, nurseries, further education centres and after-school clubs are within 150 metres of a road with illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide
2,600%
increase in registration of electric cars in the UK in the past four years
£20 billion
how much air pollution costs the UK economy
11 million
cars worldwide designed to cheat air pollution tests
The battle for clean air

What are the effects of air pollution?


What causes air pollution?

What are the types of air pollution?
We’re most concerned about three types of air pollutant that cause environmental and health problems:

Particulate matter (PMs). The most dangerous tiny particles of air pollution worsen heart and lung disease.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2). High levels of NO2 can cause a flare-up of asthma or symptoms such as coughing and difficulty breathing.

Ground level ozone (O3). Ground level ozone can irritates the eyes, nose and throat.

Clean Air Everywhere: what a good air quality plan should look like

Latest on air pollution
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As a result of our legal challenge, the UK government has admitted to acting unlawfully in its Heat and Building Strategy. Find out why its actions were unlawful, who it impacts and what happens next.