Everyone knows how
smoky air can make you cough and cause your eyes to
water. In the past, thousands of people in London died
during severe pollution episodes, over 5,000 on one
week alone in December 1952. Today many people suffer
from asthma and cardiovascular problems made worse by
poor air quality.
The YourAir pollution mapping service
shows you the levels of the three most important pollutants
around Camden: ozone, airborne particles, nitrogen
dioxide and carbon monoxide. It also shows the Total
Air Quality Index, that shows the combines effects
of all pollutants.
All these are thought to harm people
who have asthma or other respitory or cardiovascular
problems. At very high levels they can harm healthy
people too. As the maps show, the highest levels are
often found in small areas around roads or other sources
of pollution like power stations.
YourAir provides maps for Nitrogen
Dioxide, Ozone, Sulphur Dioxide and Particles because
these are the main pollutants found in Camden.
In other places Sulphur Dioxide, Lead, Benzene and
other compounds can also be major pollutants, but
the amounts of these found in Camden are always
very low.
|
