A study has found that more than 25% of particle pollution in UK cities is caused by farming.
According to the study, UK agriculture was responsible for 38% of the particle pollution in Leicester, 32% in Birmingham, and 25% in London in 2019.
In each case, rural agriculture’s contribution was more than the sum of its urban counterparts.
The study discovered that, albeit less significantly than the effects of the UK’s own farming, particle pollution from the rest of Europe also had an influence on the UK, particularly the south and east of England.
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Dr Jamie Kelly, who was part of the study team at University College London (UCL), said: “We were surprised to find that ammonia from rural agriculture is so large. It is often the dominant source of particulate matter pollution in UK cities; even in cities as large as London.
“If the government is truly committed to addressing particulate pollution to improve public health, there need to be more ambitious measures to reduce ammonia emissions.”
Story was adapted from The Guardian
