Air quality in cities shows big increase
Pollution
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Pollution levels in some big cities fell by two-thirds when drivers abandoned their cars for other modes of transport during the petrol crisis.
Pollution levels in some big cities fell by two-thirds when drivers abandoned their cars for other modes of transport during the petrol crisis.
Figures from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions showed levels of carbon dioxide in the air were far lower yesterday than at the start of the week. At Bloomsbury in central London, the highest recorded level of carbon monoxide fell from 1.4 parts per million on Tuesday to 0.5ppm on Thursday and 0.4ppm yesterday. On Marylebone Road, close by, the level fell from 3.5ppm on Tuesday to 1.8ppm on Friday.
In Manchester, the level of the gas, most of which comes from vehicle exhaust, fell from 0.5ppm on Monday to 0.3ppm on Friday. In Cardiff it dropped from 0.7ppm to 0.4ppm and in Bristol from 0.6ppm to 0.2ppm.
In Belfast, which was mostly unaffected by the fuel shortage, the carbon monoxide level rose to 0.4ppm on Friday, from 0.1ppm on Monday.
A spokesman for Friends of the Earth agreed that the lack of traffic must have affected pollution levels, but added that the change in the weather could have contributed.
He also said that many pedestrians had welcomed the improvement in their quality of life while there were fewer cars on the roads.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments