PM2.5 exposure in UK factories ‘almost off the charts’

New research coming out of Zehnder’s Clean the Unseen initiative has revealed that workers in the UK’s industrial production sector are suffering from dramatically poor air quality when compared to those working in other sectors. 

The data was acquired through 137 air quality measurements which were taken across 36 separate workplace locations across the UK towards the end of 2024.

The sampling focussed on industrial workplaces such as metal fabrication and logistics sites, bakeries, and packaging lines. When visiting such businesses, air quality was also measured in the office and canteen areas.

For purposes of comparison, measurements were also taken  in public places, such as bus and train stations, shopping centres, supermarkets, schools, and healthcare facilities.

While it might be expected that levels in the industrial production areas would be higher than in the other environments monitored,  readings for PM2.5 were found to be alarmingly high extremely high. 

PM2.5 levels in those areas were found to be 78 times higher than train stations. 87 times higher than shopping centres and 92 times higher than in bus stations.

Those working on production lines were also found to be exposed to MPM2.5 at a level 34 times greater than office workers on the same site.

Ben Simons, Head of Zehnder Clean Air Solutions Europe West says: ‘The UK has put in a huge amount of effort to create public spaces with clean air. It has recognised the dangers of inhaling pollutants and taken meaningful steps to reduce them. Yet, its factory floors and production hubs – where workers spend all day, every day – continue to expose UK employees to serious harm. The levels of exposure are almost off the charts. We urgently need UK employers to understand how important it is to provide clean air at work. Doing so dramatically improves the quality of life for employees, reduces risks to health, and enhances the running of their businesses.’

Zehnder’s Clean the Unseen initiative aims to make workers aware of the hidden threat of potentially harmful air quality.  It encourages employees to raise air quality as an issue among their colleagues and employer and provides resources to help then identify whether their might be an air quality problem in their working environment.