Key facts
- Deaths linked to air pollution in London have fallen by an estimated 40% since 2019.
- Nitrogen dioxide levels are down 41% and fine particulate pollution is down 28%.
- Estimated premature deaths from air pollution have decreased from 6,400-8,000 in 2019 to 3,800-5,100 in 2024.
- Outer London boroughs recorded the highest ratio of air pollution-related deaths in 2024.
- Mayor Sadiq Khan credits the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) for the improvements.
Deaths linked to air pollution in London have fallen by an estimated 40% over the past five years, according to a new study by Imperial College London. The research indicates significant improvements in air quality, with nitrogen dioxide levels down 41% and fine particulate pollution down 28% since 2019.
The study revised previous estimates of premature deaths attributed to air pollution, increasing the 2019 figure to between 6,400 and 8,000, and projecting a fall to 3,800-5,100 by 2024. Despite these improvements, air pollution remains a serious public health risk, with stronger associations found between pollution and cardiovascular conditions, dementia, diabetes, and respiratory diseases.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, welcomed the findings, attributing the progress to his Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez). The Ulez, launched in central London in 2019 and expanded to inner boroughs in 2021, charges non-compliant vehicles a daily fee. The scheme was further expanded to cover all of the capital in 2023, a decision made despite local opposition. The study found that outer London boroughs, including Bexley, Havering, and Sutton, had the highest ratio of deaths attributable to air pollution in 2024, underscoring the significance of the Ulez expansion.
Researchers noted that the impact of air pollution on health is greater than previously understood. While the Imperial report itself does not single out specific policies, Khan stated that the "bold action" taken in London has demonstrably reduced pollution and saved lives. Currently, approximately 97% of vehicles within the Ulez comply with emission standards. Other initiatives mentioned include providing air quality filters for classrooms and increasing the number of zero-emission buses in the city's fleet.
Experts like Prof Stephen Holgate from the Royal College of Physicians described the improvements as "encouraging" and a "powerful reminder" that sustained action yields health benefits. However, Jemima Hartshorn of Mums for Lungs noted that over 100,000 children were hospitalised with breathing issues in London in 2024 and highlighted that other cities remain more polluted, calling for further action both in London and across the country.