Air pollution levels are higher than WHO guidelines in a majority of neighbourhoods in England and Wales

Within WHO guidelines

1-2 times guidelines

Double guidelines

NO2 levels

16,276 neighbourhoods

16,197

2,280

PM2.5 levels

1,066 neighbourhoods

32,088

1,599

Air pollution is worse in areas with higher populations of people from minority ethic backgrounds

Within WHO guidelines

1-2 times guidelines

Double guidelines

NO2 levels

4% in low-pollution areas are ethnic minority

20%

44%

PM2.5 levels

2% in low-pollution areas are ethnic minority

13%

47%

Air pollution levels are higher than WHO guidelines in a majority of neighbourhoods in England and Wales

Within WHO guidelines

1-2 times guidelines

Double guidelines

NO2 levels

PM2.5 levels

16,276 neighbourhoods

1,066 neighbourhoods

16,197

32,088

2,280

1,599

Air pollution is worse in areas with higher populations of people from minority ethic backgrounds

Within WHO guidelines

1-2 times guidelines

Double guidelines

NO2 levels

PM2.5 levels

4% in low-pollution areas are ethnic minority

2% in low-pollution areas are ethnic minority

20%

13%

47%

44%

Guardian graphic. Source: Friends of the Earth using latest government data on background air pollution from 2020. Note: ‘neighbourhoods’ are Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs), identified by the Office of National Statistics and with an average population of 1,700 people