Pollution levels are now high in parts of England 24/01 . The poor air quality means people are being advised to change their daily routines and there are health risks for others.
Keeping an eye on air pollution levels
In a week when the WMO (World Meteorological Organisation) confirmed
"2016 as the hottest year on record, about 1.1C above pre-industrial era"
and 100 UK scientists wrote a letter saying PM Theresa May should press Donald Trump
“to acknowledge the scientific evidence about the risks of climate change, to continue to support international action to counter climate change, including the Paris Agreement, and to maintain support for world class research and data-gathering on climate change in the United States”
our atmosphere, the air we breathe, from this week's weather to long-term climate change, they are all big talking points.
Tues 24th Jan
The same high pressure from last week is now contributing to high pollution levels, with VERY HIGH Daily Air Quality Index being scored in London and East Anglia on Tuesday. The still air, the fog and local pollution sources (particulates) are all resulting in the poor air quality. The Daily Air Quality Index tells us about levels of air pollution and provides recommended actions and health advice. It could be used like the Pollen index or UV index.
On days when VERY HIGH is assessed on the Index, the advice is
for at risk individuals (Adults and children with heart or lung problems etc)
Adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems, and older people, should avoid strenuous physical activity. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often.
For general population
Reduce physical exertion, particularly outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as cough or sore throat.
Looking at the LondonAir view of the City's roads you can see the concentrations of pollution at Piccadilly Circus etc. NO2 levels do rise at rush hour as you would expect for a pollutant from vehicle exhausts but the high levels of particulates at the moment is due to the stagnating nature of the High pressure over the UK. The air is not flowing, there are not any fresh clearing breezes to disperse the usual everyday particles in our atmosphere. It's all just settling in and around Greater London.
The forecast through this week does improve. Gradually we are going to feel the effects of the Atlantic once more, the high retreating into Europe. So the breeze will begin to pickup over SE Britain, and it will be blustery for most of the UK. Parts of eastern England may still keep moderate levels of pollution but for most this particular air pollution episode is easing after Wednesday.
Thurs 19th Jan
London has seen levels of pollution rise into the High category, of the daily air quality index, already this week, as have parts of eastern England. The London Mayor's office has been issuing alerts about the air quality, which so far has been from home grown issues.
We have had a very settled spell of weather with High pressure sitting near to the UK. Very light winds, cold air at the surface, a capping inversion layer above and very slow descending air within the High have meant that everything has stagnated. None of the usual clearing out with fresh Atlantic breezes has occurred. Local sources of pollution such as industry and traffic on streets in towns and cities have just built up and up each day. High levels of Nitrogen Dioxide occur close to busy roads and can vary through the day, say at rush hour. Particulate pollution is from tiny particles suspended in the air and these can travel quite far.
There are different ways of viewing the pollution levels where you are throughout the day. Air quality figures with low, moderate, high and very high levels from Londonair at Kings College. The sites at Lambeth Bondway interchange and Brent Ikea recorded a 10 each with Very High levels of pollution midweek. Most winter air pollution 'episodes' are a result of road transport pollution.
What can I do?
Health problems can be heightened by high pollution levels and for some exercising should be avoided or reduced. Quieter, back routes are being suggested to avoid the worst of the traffic pollution. Looking at the current readings for pollution levels can identify areas of risk.
To reduce the transport emissions London will need fewer vehicles and cleaner transport, with more people walking and cycling or using public transport.
These episodes can affect people with respiratory or heart-related concerns, hence the alert system.
Forecast
The High pressure is shifting a little bit for the end of the working week. The lightest winds remain over eastern and NE England, so levels inland from the Humber remain at moderate to high, with local sources the cause.
For London and the SE, there will be more of an easterly breeze, just beginning to stir up the atmosphere a bit. This means the local emissions will begin to disperse, reducing the levels of NO2. There will still be particulates in the air from other urban areas on the continent, which will mix with the existing local particles and so these levels remain at moderate or maybe High in a few spots.
The quiet weather looks set to stay over SE Britain well into next week, but other parts of the UK see more blustery conditions especially in the west and the north.
https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/forecasting/
https://www.londonair.org.uk/LondonAir/Guide/ClimateChange.aspx