Yes it can. Air pollution levels change with location, different weather conditions, and with the activities that are taking place.
Air pollution gathers around the areas where it is formed. So places that have lots of traffic, domestic wood fires, industry or farming can have higher levels of pollution.
Closing roads to traffic can reduce air pollution on those roads almost straightaway. This year Global Action Plan calculated that air pollution on a major road in London was 89% lower when the roads were closed for the London Marathon than on a normal Sunday. This is because generally the more traffic there is, the more pollution there usually is, so rush hour can be particularly bad.
Pollution can change at different times of year too. Ozone pollution forms in direct sunlight, so more is generated on particularly sunny days and levels are likely to be higher in spring and summer. In winter, when there is particularly cold air at ground level and warmer air above it, air pollution can become trapped until the weather changes again.
Some seasonal events, like bonfires and fireworks, can also result in higher levels of air pollution during the displays and for a time after.
If you would like to find out more about where all the stats, facts and figures have come from, see our references page
Please provide your details to download our free resources
All our resources are free to download. We’re asking people to complete this form in order for us to
understand who is using our materials, so that we can continue to improve them.
Clean Air Hub Sign up
We’ll send you emails keeping you up to date with what we’re doing, the difference we’re making, and how you can get involved and support our activities.
By providing your email and clicking the subscribe button above, you will sign up to our Global Action Plan newsletter to be kept up to date with the latest stories, information and results for our programmes and campaigns.You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at [email protected]. We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking above, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.We use MailChimp as our marketing automation platform. By clicking above to submit this form, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be transferred to MailChimp for processing in accordance with their Privacy Policy and Terms.
SEARCH
Take Action
Keep up to date with what we're doing. We’ll send you emails from time to time and won't share your details with anyone.
We've developed the first personal air pollution calculator. Find out here about where pollution is being generated in your life.