These are the 10 UK areas with the worst air quality

People living in more than 100 UK council areas are breathing dirty air that breaches a ‘safe’ limit for pollution set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) – above which increased deaths are likely.

By Sarah Wilson

24th Jun 2021, 12:01am

Areas have been ranked by PM2.5 concentrations recorded in 2019 by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra).

PM2.5 are solid or liquid particles with a diameter at least 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair. It can be naturally occurring, such as from sea spray or dust storms, or man made, from soot caused by burning fuels for transport, industry and heating.

Newham in London had the highest level of air pollution in England in 2019, with a PM2.5 concentration of 13, 95.6% of which was manmade.

1. Newham

Newham in London had the highest level of air pollution in England in 2019, with a PM2.5 concentration of 13, 95.6% of which was manmade. Photo: Shutterstock

The City of London authority was next in the list, with a PM2.5 concentration of 12.8, 95.5% of which was manmade.

2. City of London

The City of London authority was next in the list, with a PM2.5 concentration of 12.8, 95.5% of which was manmade. Photo: Shutterstock

Another London area, Waltham Forest, came high in the list with a concentration of around 12.8% in 2019. Again, 95.5% of this pollution was manmade.

3. Waltham Forest

Another London area, Waltham Forest, came high in the list with a concentration of around 12.8% in 2019. Again, 95.5% of this pollution was manmade. Photo: Shutterstock

Westminster had the fourth highest pollution, with a PM2.5 concentration of 12.7%. Around 95.4% of this was from manmade causes.

4. Westminster

Westminster had the fourth highest pollution, with a PM2.5 concentration of 12.7%. Around 95.4% of this was from manmade causes. Photo: Shutterstock

World Health Organisation DEFRA