Air pollution in Eastbourne drops during outbreak

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) levels in the air have fallen from 13.7 micrograms per cubic metre to 11.0, new data reveals.

This is based on average readings taken in March 2019 and in March 2020.

Meanwhile, Clean Air Eastbourne says its air quality monitors have recorded a significant drop in damaging particulate matter (PM 2.5) in the air.

The average for March 2018 was 11.0 PM2.5 per metre squared; for March 2019 its was 10.5. And for March 2020 this has fallen to 3.3.

It comes after people have been told to stay in their homes and avoid unnecessary trips in a bid to slow the spread of the virus.

NO₂ is an air pollutant gas which is produced by road traffic and other fossil fuel combustion processes.

According to DEFRA, there is evidence high levels of NO₂ can inflame the airways in our lungs and, over a long period of time, affect how well they work.

While PM2.5 is particulate matter similar to fine dust. When humans inhale it, it can penetrate deep into our lungs and enter our blood stream.

The smaller the particules, the more damage it is thought to do.

Eastbourne has been at the limit of ‘unsafe’ air pollution levels for some time, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Public Health England (PHE) estimates that 61 people in Eastbourne die from particulate air pollution every year.

Clean air Eastbourne is a voluntary organisation which monitors air pollution levels using equipment around town.

Live data is available at eastbourneair.com

Nitrogen Dioxide figures collected by the BBC Shared Data Unit.

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