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'Filthy air' prompts 'very high' pollution alert for London | 'Filthy air' prompts 'very high' pollution alert for London |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A "very high" air pollution alert has been issued by the Mayor of London for the first time. | A "very high" air pollution alert has been issued by the Mayor of London for the first time. |
Warnings are being issued at bus stops, roadside signs and Tube stations under a new alert system set up by Sadiq Khan. | Warnings are being issued at bus stops, roadside signs and Tube stations under a new alert system set up by Sadiq Khan. |
The rise has been attributed to cold, calm and settled weather, meaning winds are not dispersing local pollutants. | The rise has been attributed to cold, calm and settled weather, meaning winds are not dispersing local pollutants. |
The mayor said "the shameful state of London's toxic air" meant he had to trigger the alert. | The mayor said "the shameful state of London's toxic air" meant he had to trigger the alert. |
"This is the highest level of alert and everyone - from the most vulnerable to the physically fit - may need to take precautions to protect themselves from the filthy air," he said. | "This is the highest level of alert and everyone - from the most vulnerable to the physically fit - may need to take precautions to protect themselves from the filthy air," he said. |
A spike in pollution on Sunday was the highest level recorded since April 2011. | |
Current concentrations of PM10 - tiny airborne particles caused by the burning of fossil fuels - are more than double the legal limit. | |
The air quality index numbers run from one (lowest) to 10 (highest). The current levels have been rated as 10. | The air quality index numbers run from one (lowest) to 10 (highest). The current levels have been rated as 10. |
Dr Gary Fuller from the Environmental Research Group at King's College London said episodes of pollution at this level "happen a few times a year". | |
Susan Boix, from Erith, South London | Susan Boix, from Erith, South London |
While walking the dogs today I felt so sick from the pollution and now have a sore throat. | While walking the dogs today I felt so sick from the pollution and now have a sore throat. |
It was so bad I felt like I was in an enclosed space with a car engine running. | It was so bad I felt like I was in an enclosed space with a car engine running. |
I had to pull my sweatshirt up to cover my mouth and nose. I've never experienced it like that before. | I had to pull my sweatshirt up to cover my mouth and nose. I've never experienced it like that before. |
Now and again it's bad but not like today. You could taste the pollution. | Now and again it's bad but not like today. You could taste the pollution. |
The last time pollution reached this level was early last month, according to pollution monitoring stations run by King's College London. | |
However, a spike in pollution levels on Sunday "when there wasn't much traffic on the road, was significant" Dr Fuller said. | |
In recent weeks several "high" alerts have been issued. | |
The current weather conditions, coupled with an "unusually high amount of domestic wood burning", has led to the highest pollution alert being issued. | |
The government's committee on the medical effects of air pollutants (COMEAP) advises adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems and older people, to avoid strenuous physical activity. | The government's committee on the medical effects of air pollutants (COMEAP) advises adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems and older people, to avoid strenuous physical activity. |
People with asthma may find they need to use their inhaler more often. | People with asthma may find they need to use their inhaler more often. |
Pollution levels are expected to continue into Tuesday. | |
Have you made changes following the air pollution alert? Are you staying indoors or working from home? Have you made other changes? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. | Have you made changes following the air pollution alert? Are you staying indoors or working from home? Have you made other changes? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |