Never miss a thing from all parts of our city - sign up for free email alerts Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

People are being warned to avoid strenuous outdoor exercise in Leeds this week as dangerously high levels of air pollution have hit the city.

Levels of harmful pollution, which were given a 9/10 grading by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), have been detected in central Leeds today and even higher levels are expected in the city on Wednesday, February 27.

The government agency says that on Wednesday people in the city who have lung or heart problems should 'avoid strenuous physical activity' and everyone else should 'reduce physical exertion, particularly outdoors'.

High levels of air pollution have been recorded in towns and cities across the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland today.

DEFRA says it is believed to be 'from locally generated and continental sources with light winds and the potential for some Saharan Dust'.

How is air pollution measured?

The government agency continuously monitors measurements of a number of pollutants, including particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5), which are made up of components such as sulfate, nitrates and ammonia.

The fine particles are dangerous because they can penetrate lungs and even get into the blood stream.

Scientists measure air quality by looking at the concentration of particle matter, using the micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3).

The WHO says a daily mean of 25μg/m3 is the recommended safe limit, but 'small particulate pollution have health impacts even at very low concentrations'.

(Image: DEFRA)

Today in Leeds city centre, a daily mean of 66μg/m3 has been found, and in Headingley a daily mean of 62μg/m3 has been detected.

That means both areas of the city are seeing levels of air pollution which are more than double the recommended safe limit.

Even higher levels of pollution are expected on Wednesday, but DEFRA states that 'air pollution levels are expected to return to Low from Thursday, as winds increase from the west.'

Last year, there were 17 days when air pollution levels in the city exceeded the WHO's recommended limit.

That means people spent more than two weeks inhaling dangerously high levels of this particle matter, which is emitted when you burn fossil fuels.

And earlier that year, the WHO stated Leeds has the joint 10th highest level of pollution in the country, as people here breathe dirtier air than most other towns and cities, including London, Hull, Middlesbrough and Wigan.

Leeds City Council insists it is working to tackle air pollution in the city, and it has been handed £29 million to implement a Clean Air Zone.

Visit our homepage for more of the biggest talking points across Leeds.

LeedsLive has launched a WhatsApp group to help you keep up to date with the latest news. If you'd like to receive one message daily with the main headlines, as well as breaking news alerts, text NEWS to 07786 313491. Then add the number to your phone contacts book as LeedsLive (case sensitive, no space). Your phone number won't be shared with other members of the group.