London Mayor Sadiq Khan has issued a high air pollution alert for the capital on Tuesday, November 10, urging residents, particularly vulnerable people, to take precautions and minimise their exposure to polluted air.
The Mayor advised people to follow health guidance, switch off vehicle engines when idling and avoid burning garden waste, warning that such activities contribute to air pollution.
According to The Guardian, the air pollution reached very high levels across several urban areas of England on Monday, as calm winds and foggy conditions prevented pollutants from dispersing following a weekend of fireworks, bonfires and Diwali celebrations.
Government air quality monitoring data showed that 11 locations, largely across London and Greater Manchester, recorded the highest category on the 10-point particulate matter pollution index during the 24 hours up to 10 am. Another 27 monitoring stations reported “high” pollution levels across London, the north-west, the Midlands, Yorkshire and eastern England.
The worst reading was recorded in Hillingdon, west London, where the 24-hour average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reached 129 micrograms per cubic metre.
This was more than eight…