Air pollution 'can soar when temperatures drop'

Air pollution can soar when temperatures drop, as the UK's recent inclement weather has shown.

Writing in The Guardian, Gary Fuller noted that the air pollution index reached its maximum value of ten on 5th and 6th March 2013.

The recent months have been characterised by unpredictable and unseasonably cold spells across Britain, which has seemingly caused levels of air pollution to spike dramatically.

Mr Fuller explained that the easterly air that brought the freezing temperatures and snow flurries to the country had carried heavy particle pollution along with it from traffic and industry across Europe.

Combined with air pollution already tainting UK cities, the cold weather and accompanying pollutants resulted in levels of contamination so high, people are advised to reduce strenuous outdoor activity.

Industrial cities were hit the worst, with Yorkshire, Warrington and Birmingham registering the highest values on the pollution index on 5th March, while Middlesbrough, North West England and Belfast were particularly affected the following day.

Mr Fuller wrote: "The situation was made worse by cold temperatures – leading to increased pollution from power generation and heating – and still nights that allowed air pollution to build up in our cites.

"Cold temperatures also meant that many nitrate and volatile organic carbon particles remained in the atmosphere, whereas on hot sunny days these would simply evaporate."

This suggests that, as weather becomes more unpredictable and the potential for harsher winters increases, the importance of reducing existing levels of air pollution is very high.

Many cities in the UK are now considering low-emission zones (LEZs) as a way to combat increased emissions from traffic.

Edinburgh is among those looking at proposals, in order to bring air pollution in line with European targets.

From 2015, the European Union is planning to impose fines on cities not meeting environmental standards.