Tube toxins could be harming passengers (Picture: PA)

You could be at greater risk of getting dementia if you travel regularly on the London Underground, according to experts.

Commuters are being exposed to millions of toxic ‘nanodusts’ particles every minute, which could lead to more people getting the disease, according to Professor Stephen Holgate, from the British Lung Foundation.

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A freedom of information request from The Sunday Times showed Transport for London (TfL) had measured up to 1,000 micrograms of the nanodusts for every cubic metre of air on the Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria Lines.

This translated to a possible 12m particles being breathed in every 60 seconds by a passenger.




This was potentially a problem as the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended being exposed to a maximum of 50 micrograms every 24 hours.

A freedom of information request revealed the number of toxins that were on Tubes (Picture: Getty Images)

Professor Holgate told The Sunday Times: ‘The particles in underground railways are rich in iron and other metals such as copper, chromium, manganese and zinc.

‘Metal particles increase our risk of asthma, lung and cardiovascular disease and possibly dementia.’

The number of particles containing iron oxides was increased by the friction between the train wheels and rails.

TfL denied there was a risk to passengers and staff.

It said they were not on the Tube long enough to be exposed to harmful levels of the particles.

Mark Wild, Managing Director of London Underground, said: ‘We have recently launched a new Underground air quality programme to ensure dust and particles are kept to an absolute minimum.

‘We have also closely monitored pollution levels on the Tube for many years and, through a wide range of measures, have ensured that particle levels are well within Health & Safety Executive guidelines.

‘As scientific understanding of the effects of particles develops, we are reviewing our measures and using the very latest research to do an updated analysis of pollution on the Tube.

‘We remain committed to doing everything possible to ensure staff and passengers breathe the cleanest air possible.’