Britain’s ten most-polluted towns revealed… and London’s not one of them
The World Health Organisation found 37 areas across the country have exceeded safe recommended limits
BRITAIN'S ten most polluted towns have been revealed - and London is not on the list.
Striking data from the World Health Organisation found 32 areas across the country have soared past safe recommended limits of air pollution.
Port Talbot, Wales, is the worst offender with 18 micrograms per cubic metre, almost double the WHO recommended limit of ten.
The town famous for the Port Talbot steelworks had levels which were equal to Marseille, France and Quito, Ecuador.
Scunthorpe and Salford followed closely behind with 15 micrograms per cubic metre.
Dr Tedros Adhanom, chief of the WHO said: "Air pollution threatens us all, but the poorest and most marginalised people bear the brunt of the burden."
British territory Gibraltar, which was not featured on the map, would have came fourth with 14 micrograms per cubic metre.
Discussions on UK pollution has previously revolved around nitrogen oxide - a toxic gas emitted by diesel vehicles, which the Government has failed to meet targets for.
But WHO researchers warned fine particle emissions, called PM 2.5, travel deeply into people's lungs and can cause a series of health problems among the elderly and children.
PM 2.5 pollutants are formed mainly of toxic chemicals including carbon and sulphate.
Surprisingly London had not breached WHO limits.
Manchester had pollution levels of 13 micrograms per cubic metre and London had levels of 11.
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Environmental law charity ClientEarth said: "These new statistics show a worrying level of this dangerous air pollution across the country.
"People shouldn't have to breathe air on a daily basis which the WHO deems unhealthy.
"A new Clean Air Act would protect our right to breathe clean air and drive greater ambition to meet safer WHO guideline levels.
"Ministers should commit to this now. Without it, many people across the UK will continue to pay with their health."
BRITAIN'S MOST POLLUTED TOWNS AND CITIES
- Port Talbot: 18mg per cubic metre
- Scunthorpe: 15
- Salford: 15
- Thurrock: 14
- Manchester: 13
- Swansea: 13
- Gillingham: 12
- Carlisle: 12
- Chepstow: 12
- Leeds:12
- Leicester: 12
- Liverpool: 12
- Grays: 12
- Eccles: 12
- Nottingham: 12
- Plymouth: 12
- York: 12
- Prestonpans: 12
- Royal Leamington Spa: 12
- Sandy: 12
- Sheffield: 12
- Stoke-On-Trent: 12
- London: 11
- Coventry: 11
- Hull: 11
- Londonderry: 11
- Middlesbrough: 11
- Norwich: 11
- Southend-On-Sea: 11
- Stockton-On-Tees: 11
- Storrington: 11
- Wigan: 11
A Defra spokesman said: "While air quality in the UK has improved significantly since 2010, this report from the WHO clearly shows the impact air pollution is having on the health of men, women and children in the UK and across the world.
"Tackling this important issue is a priority for this government which is why we have a £3.5billion plan to improve air quality and reduce harmful emissions and will set out further actions through a comprehensive Clean Air Strategy later this year."
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