Air pollution – caused mostly by road traffic – is one of the UK's biggest killers, and is responsible for an estimated 36,000 premature deaths per year. Like most crises, it's the poorest and most vulnerable who suffer most from pollution.
One of the pollutants caused by road traffic, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), is a toxic gas which inflames the lining of the lung and reduces immunity to lung infections such as bronchitis.
Despite government benchmarks on acceptable levels of pollution, those levels are frequently breached. What's more, the government has twice lost in court for failing to deal with the scandal. As part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic, please join us in asking the government to take the environment, and our health, seriously.
The map below pinpoints locations where the annual mean nitrogen dioxide levels are above the national Air Quality Standards (40ug/m3). Data has been accessed from the most recent local authority Air Quality Annual Status Reports (ASRs) submitted to government. The results are all bias corrected, and distance-adjusted where appropriate. In some cases, this data is provisional and awaiting approval from DEFRA.
As the UK looks to recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, government has an opportunity to build back better. To re-prioritise spending and ensure a fair and healthy planet for all. Have your say.