Every London borough exceeds WHO limits for toxic pollution

Newly released data has revealed that every London borough exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) limits for toxic pollution.

The research was carried out by City Hall, with analysis of diffusion tubes at locations across the city. The research showed that some progress has been made.

31 of 33 boroughs used diffusion tubes in 2021 to monitor locations in their area, a low-cost way to monitor average levels of toxic nitrogen dioxide. Every location where the diffusion tubes were installed are exceeding global WHO recommended limits for nitrogen dioxide.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “London’s toxic air is leading to children growing up with stunted lungs and causes around 4,000 premature deaths a year – with the greatest number of attributable deaths in London’s outer boroughs.

“This data is yet more shocking proof that London’s air quality has been in serious breach of the recognised global standard - and it’s a problem in every single part of the capital.  

“I have made tackling toxic air pollution a priority since I was first elected in 2016, and we have made huge progress since then. However, I am determined to do all I can to ensure that children now and the next generation of Londoners can grow up breathing cleaner air – wherever they live in the capital.

“This is why I made the difficult decision to expand the ULEZ London-wide - to help save lives and to give all Londoners the right to breathe cleaner air.”

Hirra Khan Adeogun, Head of Car Free Cities at climate charity Possible, said: “This data shows just how much work there is still left to do on driving down air pollution and emissions in London. The ULEZ expansion will certainly help by making our streets healthier and greener but we need to go further. Dedicated cycle lanes, road user charging, and investing in public transport, these are things that will help secure our climate and secure the long-term health of Londoners.”

Image by Maxpinsoo from Pixabay