North Lincs air pollution close to 'unsafe limit'

DEFRA figures say the average concentration of PM2.5 pollution particles in North Lincolnshire was 9 micrograms per cubic metre in 2019 – close to the WHO guideline limit of 10.

Health campaigners say "toxic" air quality in the UK is a national emergency and the Government must impose stricter limits on fine particles in the air (PM2.5), which come mainly from the burning of oil, gas and diesel and can lodge in the lungs and even pass into bloodstream, potentially causing damage to blood vessels and organs.

Levels of the PM2.5 particles have fallen in England since 2011, when national records began, from 12.1 micrograms per cubic metre to 9.6 in 2019.

Figures from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs show the average concentration of PM2.5 pollution particles in North Lincolnshire was 9 micrograms per cubic metre in 2019 – below the UK limit of 25, but close to the WHO guideline limit of 10.