Capital city in Greater London, United Kingdom
Air quality in London
Moderate
The annual average PM2.5 in London was 11 µg/m³ in 2019, about 2.2 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Traffic pollution is moderate; PM2.5 peaks in cold, still weather and ULEZ covers all of London.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 11 µg/m³ yearly average (2019). Measured at London.
- PM10: 19 µg/m³ (2019).
- Nitrogen dioxide: 34 µg/m³ (2019), mostly from traffic.
- Recent average: 11.2 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2014 | |
| 2013 |
Air quality across United Kingdom
| Place | PM2.5 | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | 4.8 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Glasgow | 5.3 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Scottish Highlands | 6.1 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Oxford | 7.1 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Newcastle | 7.1 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Belfast | 7.4 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Cornwall | 7.5 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Birmingham | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| York | 8.1 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Bristol | 8.3 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Leeds | 8.3 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Cardiff | 8.5 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Liverpool | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Manchester | 8.8 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Bath | 9.7 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| London | 11 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Brighton | 11.8 µg/m³ | Moderate |
Quick answers
Is the air in London bad?
Moderate: 11 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 2.2× the WHO guideline.
When is the air worst in London?
Traffic pollution is moderate; PM2.5 peaks in cold, still weather and ULEZ covers all of London.
How does London compare with the rest of United Kingdom?
People in United Kingdom breathe 9 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 11 µg/m³ measured here.
More about London
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Transport for London
- Heathrow Airport
- Visit London
- NHS 111
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.