A PUBLIC health emergency has been declared over toxic air in London by the Mayor Sadiq Khan.

There are warnings that air pollution could rise to “high” in parts of the capital today and remaining at “moderate” levels over the next three days.

The worst affected parts will be in the City and Westminster, while 17 boroughs will also see pollution rise, according to forecasts put out by the Mayor.

Mr Khan told the Standard: “London’s dirty air is a public health emergency.

“We will continue to use all the technology at our disposal to inform Londoners about levels of air pollution in their neighbourhoods.”

During the next three days, adults and children with lung problems and those with heart problems are advised to reduce strenuous physical exertion, especially outdoors.

City Hall’s advice also states that older people should reduce physical activity and those with asthma may have to use their inhalers more.

media_camera Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned “London’s dirty air is a public health emergency”. Picture: Niklas Hallen.

It adds that anyone experiencing discomfort, such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing outdoor activity.

The Department for Environment suggested the pollution episode could last until at least Sunday.

Friends of the Earth London campaigner, Sophie Neuburg said: “It’s a scandal that millions of people, in one of the richest cities in the world, are regularly forced to breath toxic air.

“The mayor is right to alert people to the threat this pollution poses to their health, and has already taken some steps to tackle the issue, but far more needs to be done.

“Sadiq Khan must follow the lead of Paris, Athens and Madrid and commit to banning dirty diesel from London by 2025.

“Air pollution is a huge public health threat — it’s time to stop tinkering under the bonnet and give transport policy a complete overhaul.”

Originally published as London’s air ‘a public health emergency’