Gunnersbury Air Pollution Exceeds EU Limits

Investigation shows it is one of the highest ranking pollution spots in London

Map from Kings College

The Gunnersbury area, which includes the busy Chiswick roundabout, has been identified as exceeding EU limits for air pollution, according to a new report.

Campaign group ClientEarth accused the government of “dragging its feet while Londoners choke” on toxic air as it released figures of pollution 'hotspots' in the capital.

Gunnersbury was listed as scoring 68 - that is , the average NO2 concentration level was 68 micrograms per cubic metre between January 1 and April 27, according to monitoring by King’s College London.

EU regulations saying this score should not be more than 40. Hounslow Council do not participate in air pollution monitoring at the Chiswick roundabout.

Oxford Street had a level of 104, which was a fall from 135 last year. Putney High Street also scored even higher with 133, while Shepherds Bush scored 76.

Euston Road in Camden, Marylebone Road in Westminster, and Earls Court Road in Kensington and Chelsea were all on 86.

The monitoring by Kings uses four pollutants chosen as ones which are known to have an effect on health within London. Each pollutant has different sources and behaviour and if you look at their site you can try selecting each pollutant in turn to get a full picture of air quality at your chosen location.

Last year, a local investigation into air pollution on Chiswick High Road found it exceeds EU limits at several locations. At one point the limits were six times higher than permitted by the European Union, according to the report.

Two UCL scientists, Louise Francis and Rebecca Payne drove along Chiswick High Road with a handheld monitor on October 29th. At one point, at Chiswick roundabout while their car was beside a bus, the monitor registered 161 particulates- the legal EU limit is 25.

The EU limit was exceeded several times during their journey, notably at junctions and while beside buses. Ms. Francis commented that this was potentially dangerous to anyone cycling, waiting with a pushchair to cross the road, sitting at a pavement cafe, or at a bus stop.

That investigation was carried out in conjunction with Brentford TV .

April 29, 2016