Air Pollution in England Reaches Lowest Level in Two Decades, Yet Health Risks Persist: Think Tank
Data indicate that pollution levels remain above the WHO’s recommended limit for 96 percent of England’s population.
According to a report released by a think tank on Friday, air pollution in England has reached its lowest levels in two decades; however, health risks still persist.
The study findings indicated that nearly all locations in England maintain a concentration level beneath the 10µg/m3 target.
Nevertheless, researchers cautioned that PM2.5 exposure continues to exceed the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended limit of 5µg/m3. Approximately 96 percent of the population resides in areas where pollution levels surpass this guideline.
Health hazards associated with both short-term and long-term exposure include problems related to cardiovascular and respiratory health, lung cancer, and heightened mortality rates.
Particular risks for children and the elderly were noted by researchers. Pollution exposure has been associated with asthma in childhood and increased dementia risks in older adults.
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Markers Over Time
The IFS pointed out the decline in pollution levels, which has been steadily decreasing and saw a significant drop during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Almost 40 percent of the reduction in PM2.5 exposure over the last twenty years happened in 2020, with pollution remaining low even as lockdowns lifted across England.
The IFS presented several potential reasons that might have contributed to this reduction in pollution levels.
“It is challenging to fully account for the notable drop in air pollution that began in 2020, during the Covid pandemic. The introduction of new clean air zones in several of England’s largest cities and a decrease in steel production may have both influenced this trend,” Upton noted.
The report also highlighted the sluggish recovery of the manufacturing sector, particularly the steel industry—one of the primary industrial contributors to PM2.5—has not rebounded to pre-pandemic output levels.
The major pollution sources in the UK include domestic combustion of wood and other fuels, road transport, and industrial activities such as construction and steel manufacturing.
The IFS indicated that the only source to have increased during the studied period is domestic combustion. In 2022, three-quarters of PM2.5 emissions from domestic sources were attributed to wood burning.
Regional Differences
The IFS discovered that since 2017, the disparity in air pollution levels between the wealthiest and most deprived areas has widened. In 2023, the most impoverished fifth of the population experienced pollution levels 8 percent higher than the least deprived fifth.
However, researchers indicated that the relationship between income deprivation and air pollution is complex. At times, areas with lower income may exhibit lower pollution levels than slightly less deprived regions, and wealthier areas may have higher pollution levels than those that are only moderately affluent.
This phenomenon occurs because some affluent areas, such as Kensington and Chelsea in London, are urban, while several of the poorest areas are situated in rural regions, as explained in the study.
During the analyzed period, the southeast and southwest regions have experienced slightly greater reductions in pollution levels, while areas like the northeast saw smaller decreases. London consistently recorded the highest PM2.5 levels, approximately 15–30 percent above the national average.
According to the Clean Air Act, residents are prohibited from emitting smoke from chimneys in smoke control zones. This regulation applies to all types of properties, including canal boats and house boats.
In England, those who violate this law may face fines of up to £300 for emitting smoke in these designated areas.
