How much air pollution is in your London area? Interactive map gives real-time level amid weather alert

Detailed summary

Much of the capital had an ‘unhealthy’ rating for air pollution earlier this week

Londoners have been warned of dangerously high levels of air pollution this week, with online data showing that levels could result in “serious health effects”.

Periods of dense fog combined with low wind allowed harmful particles to build up across the capital, with a high air pollution alert in effect in London on Tuesday on advice from forecasters at Imperial College London.

Vulnerable residents in particular were urged to take care, in the fourth high air pollution alert issued by Mayor Sadiq Khan so far this year.

Forecasters say that smoke from Bonfire Night and Diwali fireworks, as well as wood burning, are likely to have contributed to the high levels.

Since Tuesday, levels have fallen across the capital - but some parts of London still have levels which could cause moderate health concerns for people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

An interactive map, created by the World Air Quality Index Project, is a real-time source of air quality information across the city.

The site, which covers major cities around the world, collates data from more than half a million air quality monitoring stations across the planet, in a bid to raise awareness of air pollution.

According to the site’s data, between Sunday and Tuesday, much of the capital was in the “unhealthy” zone - meaning everyone could begin to experience health effects, and members of sensitive groups could experience more serious health effects.

The site suggests that active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion during such conditions.

Opening of the article, excerpted from Evening Standard. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.