Pollution in London hits highest level as public are told to reduce physical activity

A visitor walks at Primrose Hill as a high air pollution warning was issued for London on March 24, 2022.

(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Pollution in part of London has hit the highest level on the government air monitoring scale on Thursday - with people told to reduce physical exertion outdoors.

The mean air pollution in Ealing for the past 24 hours hit the “very high” air pollution banding on Thursday afternoon.

At this level - which is the highest score of 10 on the Daily Air Quality Index -the general population is advised to “Reduce physical exertion, particularly outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as cough or sore throat.”

The advice from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs for this highest level of pollution states: “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.”

It comes after the Mayor of London issued a high air pollution warning for the capital on Wednesday to stay in place until Thursday.

Sadiq Khan urged Londoners to “look after each other” by walking, cycling and avoiding unnecessary car trips as he warned of the dangerous effects of air pollution.

According to Defra’s air pollution forecast for Friday levels of pollution for large parts of London will be “high” or 8 on the Air Quality Index.

At this level, the advice is: “Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, should reduce strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors, and particularly if they experience symptoms. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Older people should also reduce physical exertion.

For the general population “anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors.”

Mr Khan warned London is “importing pollution from the continent” alongside a build-up of local emissions.

The high air pollution warning on Wednesday was the first to be issued since August 2020, City Hall said.

However high levels of pollution were not recorded over a sustained period in many parts of the capital on Thursday, according to data provided by the Environment Agency.

High levels of pollution over 24 hours were recorded in Marylebone and Bloomsbury.