South London road has highest level of harmful pollutant in whole capital

A South London road has been found to have had the highest level of the harmful pollutant Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in the whole city.

New analysis published by the Clean Cities Campaign shows Brixton Road in Lambeth was found to have 62.8μg/m3 of NO2, or 62.8 milligrams per cubic metre of air.

The number is well above the legal limit of 40μg/m3, set by the World Health Organisation. The legal limits were scheduled to be met across the UK by 2010 at the latest.

The analysis found 17 per cent of monitoring sites in central, inner and outer London recorded illegal levels of the harmful pollutant NO2 in 2022.

None of the air quality monitors met the latest World Health Organisation guidelines.

Research has shown that NO2 pollution is on average 24-31 per cent higher in areas where people from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds are most likely to live.

The most deprived Londoners are over six times more likely to live in areas with higher levels of NO2 than the least deprived.

Road transport, especially diesel vehicles, contribute significantly to levels of NO2 in the capital, a harmful pollutant linked to lung cancer, cardiovascular harm, lower birth weight in newborns and increased risk of premature death.

A reduction in NO2 could prevent over 600 deaths and save over 1,300 days spent in London’s hospitals due to respiratory conditions each year.

Oliver Lord, head of strategy at Clean Cities Campaign said: “Sadly the same siren is sounding again and I’m hoping this time that politicians will listen.

“Air pollution in London is breaching legal limits that were meant to be met 13 years ago, and when that eventually happens, they are still four times the World Health Organisation’s guidelines to protect public health. 

“Diesel fumes are a major cause of toxic air and we need greater certainty that authorities at every level of government are committed to phase out diesel engines for good with the support to make this happen. A diesel-free London is where we need to eventually get to and anything less will fail to properly address the challenge we face.”

Lambeth council has been contacted for comment.

(Picture: PA)