‘Only seven ‘countries’ meet World Health Organisation air quality standard, research finds’….plus Scotland

Image – chatgpt

In the Guardian today:

Air pollution kills thousands a year in the UK and abroad – why isn’t there a bigger uproar?

by Prof Devi Sridhar who though based in Edinburgh makes no mention of Scotland.

Why should she:


‘Only seven countries meet WHO air quality standard, research finds’….plus Scotland

According to the Guardian in March 2024, Scotland is not a country and by implication falls with the UK into the failed group.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/19/air-pollution-health-report

The latest WHO level for the deadly PM2.5 particles is 5 micrograms per cubic metre.

Though no Scottish average seems available, you can, I find, go to the IQAir site and find the level of PM2.5 where you live.

How about Glasgow High Street?

2.5, well under the WHO level.

https://www.iqair.com/gb/uk/scotland/glasgow/glasgow-high-street

To my surprise the partly-pedestrianised Ayr High Street – 5.7, just over.

Aberdeen Anderson Drive – 4.5

Edinburgh Tower Street – 1.5!

Busy Queensferry Road – 1.9

Bainsford Falkirk – 2.1. [Where I used to teach!]

I can’t find anywhere worse than my local High Street!

So, the Scottish average looks likely to be well within WHO limits.

Greenwich London – 13

Kingston upon Thames – sounds lovely – 15! Gasp.

At that, I’ll leave you to play with the app for your own places of interest, Breathe easy…I hope.

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