Pollution-down

All of our analysis on the impact of Covid-19 on the NHS is shared here. For further information please contact George on 07980804956 or [email protected]

—-

Published 24 April 2020

Air pollution led to around 30,000 premature deaths in 2013 and has presumably got worse since – until now. 

Mostly this is from Nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2, NOX) and dust (particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres – PM10). Being saturated in these as you cycle down the Euston road may lead to respiratory and cardiovascular disease and premature death. 

In 2010, 9,500 deaths in London due to air pollution.

So it might be nice, if not surprising, to know that the effect of the lockdown has been positive on pollution levels across London. 

For the first time in a long time, the level of pollution in London is below the EU maximum thresholds (dotted red lines in the charts below).

As a Londoner, it would be lovely if this continued after the lockdown is lifted, although I suspect my Covid-19 facemask will still be needed for the occasional walk through the Rotherhithe Tunnel.