Saturday 11 April 2015

High pollution hits southern England


A haze over London on 10 April 2015

Parts of England have experienced very high levels of air pollution, following health warnings for vulnerable people.
Warm, still conditions combined with traffic fumes, pollution from Europe and Saharan dust from the south saw very high levels affect six regions.
Eastern and south-east England, the East Midlands, Greater London, west London, the West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside were all affected.
Parts of the UK have also experienced the hottest day of the year so far.
Areas of London saw the highest temperatures, with St James's Park reaching 21.9C (71.42F), Kew Gardens 21.7C (71.06) and Heathrow Airport recorded at 21.3C (70.34).
Defra said pollution could be dispersed by overnight Atlantic winds by Saturday.
It said that while no regions have reached the highest level of air pollution - rated as level 10 - six regions had recorded pollution levels of up to level 9.
In areas that experienced very high levels of air pollution, adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems and older people were advised to avoid strenuous activity.
People were also advised to avoid busy roads and those who carry a reliever inhaler, such as asthma sufferers were warned to always have it with them.