Recent data suggests that pollution levels for 96 percent of England’s population are still above the World Health Organization’s recommended limit.
A report from a think tank revealed that air pollution in England has reached its lowest level in two decades, but health risks persist.
The study found that the concentration of PM2.5 in England is below the threshold of 10µg/m3 almost everywhere, but it still exceeds the WHO’s recommended limit of 5µg/m3 for 96 percent of the population.
Health risks associated with prolonged exposure to PM2.5 include cardiovascular and respiratory issues, lung cancer, and increased mortality, with children and the elderly being particularly vulnerable.
Long-Term Trends
The IFS noted a significant decline in pollution levels, with nearly 40 percent of the reduction in PM2.5 exposure occurring in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite emerging from lockdowns, pollution levels remained low.
Possible factors contributing to the decrease in pollution levels include the establishment of clean air zones in major cities and a reduction in steel production. The report also highlighted the slow recovery of the manufacturing sector, particularly in steel production.
Main sources of pollution in the UK include domestic burning of wood and other fuels, road transport, and industrial activities like construction and steel manufacturing.
While most sources of PM2.5 emissions have decreased over time, domestic combustion—particularly woodburning—has increased. A study revealed that wood burning stoves produced significantly more toxic air pollution compared to gas central heating.
Regional Disparities
Since 2017, air pollution levels have widened between the most and least deprived areas in England. The most deprived fifth of the population experienced 8 percent higher pollution levels than the least deprived fifth in 2023.
Income deprivation and air pollution show a complex relationship, with some wealthy urban areas having higher pollution levels than rural deprived areas. The southeast and southwest regions have seen larger declines in pollution levels compared to the northeast.
London consistently exhibits higher levels of PM2.5 compared to the national average. The Clean Air Act prohibits chimney emissions in smoke control areas, with violators facing fines of up to ÂŁ300 in England.
