Bradford's air pollution levels are so high in some areas that it regularly breaches the World Health Organisation's (WHO) guidelines.
WHO data sets out the maximum limit of 10 µg/m3 (annual mean) to protect the public from gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
The Central Office of Public Interest has released an interactive tool which shows what air pollution levels are like in different parts of Bradford district, as well as their overall rank in the UK’s percentiles.
From parks and offices to popular meeting points and landmarks, the tool paints a shocking picture of pollution levels and its hidden impact on our health.
Air pollution in your area - what are you breathing in?
We’ve put together a list of major Bradford locations and landmarks – pointing to varying yet consistently high levels of air pollution in the district.
Lister Park in Manningham ranks in the 65th national percentile for high air pollution, exceeding three WHO limits. The reading for N02 at this address is 19.03mcg/m3.
The PM10 pollutant – particles found in smoke, dust, soot, salts, acids, and metals, sometimes formed indirectly when gases have chemical reactions once released from engines – is limited at 15mcg/m3.
Cardiovascular mortality increases by 0.76% and respiratory mortality by 0.58% for every 10mcg/m3 increase of PM10.
PM10 at Lister Park breaches this limit at 16.95mcg/m3.
Valley Parade football ground comes under the ‘high’ category, ranking in the 69th national percentile for air.
Nearby Forster Square Shopping Park also recorded ‘high’ levels of air pollution – found to exceed three WHO limits and placed in the 71st national percentile.
There is ‘very high’ air pollution around the National Science & Media Museum, falling into the 82nd national percentile.
Elsewhere in Bradford city centre, pollution levels outside The Broadway shopping centre are recorded as ‘very high’, falling in the 80th national percentile.
Venues in City Park and Centenary Square – such as Impressions Gallery, Bradford Libraries and restaurants like Wetherspoons and Nandos – rank as ‘very high’ and fall into the 86th national percentile.
The reading for PM10 at this address is 18.03mcg/m3 while the reading for N02 at this address is 28.44mcg/m3.
Over in the Salts Mill area, there are reports of ‘significant air pollution’ – coming in under the 56th national percentile.
Shipley railway station records ‘high’ levels in the 77th national percentile – compared to ‘medium’ air pollution levels at Keighley railway station.
Meanwhile the streets near Odsal Stadium have ‘very high’ levels of pollution, falling into the 80th national percentile.
Not far off this level is Leeds Road in BD3 – exceeding three WHO limits and making it into the 85th national percentile with ‘very high’ pollution levels.
Those walking or shopping along Rooley Lane are exposed to ‘very high’ levels of pollution, making it one of the worst ranking places in Bradford in the 90th national percentile.
Among the most affected locations is Manchester Road, the ‘very high’ pollution area can be found in the 88th and 92nd national percentile depending on where you are.
Air pollution outside schools
We analysed how air pollution varied on addresses for primary schools and secondary schools in Bradford.
Outside Wilsden Primary School on Tweedy Street, air pollution is ranked as ‘medium’ in the 23rd national percentile.
Cottingley Village Primary School, a notoriously busy area during school drop off and pick up times, has ‘medium’ levels in the 39th national percentile for air pollution.
Baildon C of E Primary School, also in the 39th national percentile, has ‘medium’ levels.
Much higher levels of air pollution can be found on streets outside Horton Park Primary School – ranking in the 67th national percentile - where you’ll breathe in ‘high’ levels of air pollution.
Young people are exposed to ‘high’ pollution levels in the 74th national percentile outside Dixons Trinity Academy and Laisterdyke Leadership Academy.
People walking past Feversham Academy inhale ‘high’ pollution levels ranking in the 69th national percentile.
Similar levels can be found near Oasis Academy Lister Park, where records show ‘high’ pollution levels – the 65th national percentile.
You can find out what air pollution is like on your street by using The Central Office of Public Interest search tool here.
How bad are high air pollution levels for your health?
High air pollution levels may contribute to the development of asthma and potentially increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.
People with asthma, as well as children and the elderly, are generally at greater risk for the health effects of NO2.
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