London on high pollution alert as Saharan dust sweeps in

London’s air quality is set to deteriorate sharply today (Friday) prompting the first ‘high’ pollution alert of the year from City Hall.

Forecasters at Imperial College London advised the Mayor to issue the warning after predicting elevated levels of particulate matter, caused by a combination of Saharan dust and pollution drifting in from continental Europe, which together are expected to push concentrations to unhealthy levels.

The worst conditions are forecast overnight and during the early hours of Friday, before stronger winds later in the day help disperse the accumulated pollution.

Health services have been notified, with information shared with GPs and emergency departments to ensure vulnerable patients receive appropriate advice.

The alert system, which operates across the capital, provides warnings to the public, schools, and boroughs when pollution is forecast to reach moderate, high, or very high levels. Notifications also appear on bus stop countdown signs and across the Underground network.

The Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban said: ‘Toxic air is responsible for around 4,000 premature deaths in London each year, which is why the Mayor has done everything in his power to tackle it, which includes launching the world’s largest clean air zone.

‘We are urging Londoners to look after themselves in this high pollution period, stop their engines idling, and refrain from burning wood or garden waste – all of which contribute to high levels of pollution. This is particularly important in order to protect the most vulnerable as we continue building a safer and greener London for everyone.’

DEFRA’s UK Air Information resource is currently offering the following forecasts:

Today : Moderate to high, and perhaps locally Very High air pollution levels are possible on Friday for the south and east of England as elevated Saharan dust is drawn northwards across parts of the UK. Low air pollution levels are expected further north and west.
Tomorrow : Moderate to perhaps locally high or very high air pollution levels are possible across parts of southern England on Saturday due to continued risk of elevated Saharan dust.
Outlook : There is a risk of moderate, perhaps locally high, air pollution levels more widely across England and Wales due to elevated Saharan dust on Sunday and perhaps also Monday.