Air pollution poses a significant threat to public health across the country. This article explores how poor air quality is monitored and the steps being taken to drive meaningful change

Poor air quality has profound implications for both human health and the environment. While air pollution is often associated with extreme conditions such as wildfires in Greece or dust storms in the Middle East, it remains a pressing issue closer to home.     

Air quality is a critical public health concern that affects everyone. In the UK, Coventry has been identified as the most polluted city, with air quality classified as ‘Moderate.’     

In 2023, the average PM2.5 concentration in the UK was 1.5 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended annual air quality guideline. According to the Clean Air Fund, approximately 40,000 premature deaths occur annually in the UK due to air pollution.  The impact of poor air quality on public health The adverse effects of poor air quality extend beyond the respiratory system. The WHO has stated that air pollution can impact nearly every organ in the body.     

Extensive research demonstrates that exposure to air pollution reduces life expectancy and significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, strokes, respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, and other serious health conditions.     

Among the most strongly linked health outcomes are stroke, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and pneumonia. The severity of health impacts varies depending on exposure duration, with young children, the elderly, and pregnant individuals being particularly vulnerable.

Environmental consequences of air pollution

Air pollutants such as methane and black carbon are powerful short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) that contribute to global climate change. Many outdoor air pollution sources are also major contributors to carbon dioxide emissions. Black carbon, a component of fine particulate matter, is one of the most significant contributors to global warming after carbon dioxide. It absorbs sunlight, warming the atmosphere and accelerating the melting of snow and ice.  Monitoring air quality Despite the daunting challenge of poor air quality, local and central governments are increasingly investing in innovative monitoring technologies.     

For example, Cardiff Council has implemented a Clean Air Plan aimed at reducing pollutants and improving air quality. Measures include the introduction of electric buses for city centre routes, a bus retrofitting programme to reduce emissions, taxi mitigation strategies, and broader city centre transport improvements.     

Since the late 1990s, UK local authorities have been required to review and assess air quality in their respective areas. This involves measuring pollution levels and forecasting future trends to ensure compliance with national air quality objectives designed to protect public health and the environment.     

If a local authority identifies areas where objectives are unlikely to be met, it must designate them as Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). These can range in size from individual streets to entire districts. Cardiff’s AQMAs have successfully improved air quality in the capital.     

Additionally, Wrexham Council has received £74,000 from the Welsh Government’s Local Air Quality Management Support Fund to enhance air quality monitoring. The project will establish a network of ten monitors to measure particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and environmental noise, supporting broader efforts to leverage technology for pollution reduction.     

These initiatives highlight the increasing role of air quality monitoring in encouraging businesses and organisations to reduce emissions.

Clean Air Zones 

Another effective approach to tackling air pollution in the UK is the establishment of Clean Air Zones. The most well-known example is London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).     

First introduced in April 2019 to improve air quality in the capital, ULEZ initially covered a small area of inner London. It has since expanded, requiring drivers of non-compliant vehicles to pay a daily charge of £12.50. 

Despite some controversy, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has asserted that ULEZ has been more successful than anticipated. Data suggests that nitrogen dioxide concentrations in outer London are 21 per cent lower than they would have been without ULEZ and its expansions. Furthermore, 96 per cent of vehicles in London now meet emissions standards, with a 53 per cent reduction in non-compliant vehicles in just six months.     

Following the success of ULEZ in reducing emissions, other cities across the UK have implemented Clean Air Zones. Birmingham, for instance, imposes a daily charge on older petrol and diesel vehicles entering the city’s ring road, targeting non-compliant vehicles in high-traffic areas.     

These initiatives indicate that ULEZ may be the first of many Clean Air Zones to be introduced in urban centres nationwide.  

Raising awareness 

Public awareness and government engagement are crucial in tackling air pollution.     

Organisations such as Asthma + Lung UK have established campaign networks in major UK cities to educate the public on the health impacts of air pollution and advocate for stronger clean air policies.

At an individual level, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) provides a low-emission zone forecast map, which serves as a valuable resource for vulnerable individuals.     By raising awareness and implementing targeted interventions, the UK can make significant strides in improving air quality and protecting public health.