Dangerous PM 2.5 Pollution: What You Need to Know

For the past few days, the air we all breathe has gotten dangerously dirty as a huge plume of toxic air came over from the Atlantic and stuck around all weekend.

The most dangerous pollution for humans is PM 2.5 (Particulate Matter); this stuff is so small that it’s 30 times smaller than a strand of hair! It’s basically invisible but does permanent damage to the lungs and will end up in the blood.

PM 2.5 levels were so high that even Defra had to issue a warning! Most people will have seen a mist or fog during the weekend; despite the nice weather, this was mostly pollution, and that was the horrible smell that you may have experienced. Other pollutants that were alarmingly high were SO2 (Sulphur Dioxide), NO2 (Nitrous Oxide), and PM 10.

The pollution comes from industry, vehicles, and aircraft. Locally, using stoves to keep the home warm is the biggest contributor to PM 2.5, so whenever you set fire to wood, remember you are contributing to this dangerous type of pollution.

According to Clean Air Cities, it has been compiling data for years, and every year that goes by, Trafford has seen well over 100 deaths attributable to roadside pollution.

People with asthma or lung conditions will have found it difficult over the weekend, more so on Saturday, when even fit people with no lung complaints struggled. The pollution will continue into the new week, although the worst of it is moving southeast.

We will soon have a new pollution forecast on our weather page to keep you up to date, keeping you safer.