Air quality annual status report executive summary

Find out more about the state of air quality in Leeds in this web summary of our annual status report.

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Air quality data

There are two primary air pollutants of concern for Leeds:

• nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), of which the main source is vehicle emissions and the burning of other fossil fuels
• particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5), of which a third is from sources outside of the UK, a half comes from domestic wood burning or transport emissions, and a small proportion comes from naturally occurring sources such as pollen, sea salt, and airborne dust.

Other pollutants, including carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide, are found at levels well within the national and World Health Organisation guidelines in Leeds.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring data

The UK Air Quality Objective sets a limit of 40µg/m³ on the level of nitrogen dioxide that should be measured at each location and averaged over a one-year period.

Outdoor air pollution in most of Leeds met this Objective in 2022, remaining at similar levels to 2021.

However, there were twelve locations, mainly in the city centre, that remained above the annual mean air quality objective for nitrogen dioxide.

One monitor near Kirkstall Road (40.6µg/m3) and one monitor in Pool-in-Wharfedale (42.0µg/m3) measured pollution levels higher than permitted by the national air quality objectives and are locations where some people are likely to be exposed for an hour or longer. These results are highly localised; nearby monitoring locations in Pool-in-Wharfedale measured pollution levels that met the Objective.

Some locations in the city centre also measured levels of pollution higher than the objectives, however people are unlikely to be exposed to pollution for an hour or longer at these locations. These were:

• Bishopgate Street
• Wellington Street
• Joseph’s Well
• Neville Street
• City Square
• Yorkshire Post

Pollution levels at Wellington Street, Joseph’s Well, and Yorkshire Post show an increase on their 2021 annual mean results. These sites are likely to have been affected by nearby highways improvement works during the measurement period. Air quality at these sites is expected to improve upon completion of this work.

Pollution levels at some locations in Pool-in-Wharfedale also increased on their 2021 annual mean results. 

However, other nearby monitors in Pool-in-Wharfedale saw pollution levels decline on their 2021 annual mean results. The council will continue to monitor this variation to understand how best to respond.

Across the city, nitrogen dioxide levels remain lower than in 2019.

Annual average NO2 concentrations at several locations in Leeds (2021)

The UK Air Quality Objective also limits the number of hours that nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations should exceed 200µg/m³. No location should exceed this limit more than 18 hours in a single year.

Leeds met this objective in 2022. The monitor at Bishopgate Street measured nitrogen dioxide concentrations above 200µg/m³ for only 2 hours across the year. Nitrogen dioxide levels remained consistently below 200µg/m³ at every other location monitored.

Particulate (PM10 and PM2.5) monitoring data

The UK Air Quality Objective sets a limit of 40µg/m³ for PM₁₀ and 20 µg/m³ for PM_2.5 on the concentrations of particulates that should be measured at each location and averaged over a one-year period.

Outdoor air pollution at the three Leeds sites measuring particulate pollution met this objective for both types of particulate matter in 2022. However, the small number of locations where particulates are measured in Leeds means that monitoring results for this category are not currently representative of the whole district. The council is exploring how the monitoring of particulate matter in Leeds can be improved.

Annual average PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations at Leeds Centre and Headingley Kerbside AURN sites (2021)

The UK Air Quality Objective also limits the number of 24-hour periods where particulate matter (PM₁₀) concentrations should exceed 50µg/m³. No single location should exceed this limit more than 35 days in a single year.

Leeds met this objective in 2022. The Leeds Centre AURN monitor measured 6 days above this concentration. The Headingley Kerbside AURN monitor recorded 7 days above this concentration. The Corn Exchange 2 monitor recorded 0 days above this concentration.

Air quality trends

Air quality in Leeds has improved significantly in recent years, continuing a long-term trend.

In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic meant significant reductions in vehicle traffic and industrial activity. This disruption led to pollution levels falling more significantly that year than would otherwise have been expected.

Since 2021, people have returned to more typical behaviours, but levels of most pollutants measured in Leeds have remained lower than in 2019 or earlier years. This suggests that the long-term trend of improving air quality continues in 2022.

The charts below show the long-term trend for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) at two locations in Leeds.

Nitrogen dioxide improvements in Leeds this year are similar to the national trend measured by the government's Automatic Urban and Rural Network:

PM_2.5 levels in Leeds this year are similar to the national trend measured by the government’s Automatic Urban and Rural Network, with slightly higher increases in pollution compared to the national average.

PM₁₀ levels in Leeds this year are similar to the national trend measured by the government’s Automatic Urban and Rural Network, with slightly higher increases in pollution compared to the national average.

Government estimates also suggest that Leeds residents are being exposed to lower levels of particulate pollution than previous years, with a clear long-term downward trend. These population-weighted estimates have been produced by combining national air quality monitoring results with Census data to predict how much pollution the ‘typical’ person in Leeds has been exposed to.

Why we monitor local air quality

Air quality monitoring is a statutory duty that all local councils must undertake. Monitoring helps us understand the levels of air pollution that people in Leeds are being exposed to and whether these levels are lawful. Monitoring is also important for determining whether the city is on track to meet the stricter air quality targets set out in the Leeds Air Quality Strategy.

Air pollution is associated with a number of adverse health impacts. It is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer. Additionally, it particularly affects the most vulnerable in society: children, the elderly, and those with existing heart and lung conditions. 54 of every 1000 deaths that occur in Leeds can be linked to air pollution exposure.

The mortality burden of air pollution within the UK is equivalent to 29,000 to 43,000 deaths at typical ages, with a total estimated healthcare cost to the NHS and social care of £157 million in 2017.

More information about the health impacts of exposure to air pollution and advice on how individuals can protect themselves can be found on the ‘Protect yourself from air pollution’ webpage of the council’s Clean Air Leeds website.

How air quality is monitored and measured in Leeds

Leeds City Council follows the national methodology for monitoring air pollution.

Air pollution can be extremely local to its source, varying on an hour-by-hour and street-by-street basis. This means that pollution levels at even a single location can change significantly when measured at different times of day.

Because pollution levels at any location can go up and down throughout the day—and because there are different health risks associated with both short-term and long-term exposure—we measure and assess air quality based on yearly, daily, and hourly average (mean) levels of pollution:

• Measuring the average pollution levels across an entire year helps us to understand the typical levels of air pollution a person at this location would have been exposed to over a long-term period. It also allows us to factor in any seasonal variations such as the important role played by weather.
• Measuring the average pollution levels within any 24-hour or 1-hour period helps us to understand the day-to-day variations in air quality. This can be useful to help us understand the maximum levels of air pollutants a person at this location could have been exposed to over a short-term period.

Even though we know that air pollution varies significantly from one street to the next, it isn’t practical to measure air quality on every road in Leeds. Our approach instead is to monitor a sample of locations including many where we would expect higher levels of pollution. This helps us to better understand the highest levels of pollution that people in Leeds are realistically being exposed to. However, caution should be taken when interpreting and using this data for modelling.

The Leeds City Council and DEFRA monitoring network for 2021 included:

• 9 automatic nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) monitors which allow the hourly average air quality objective to be assessed as well as the yearly average air quality objective
• 3 automatic particulate matter (PM) monitors which allow the 24-hour average and yearly average air quality objectives to be assessed
• 176 manual diffusion tubes which provide a monthly and yearly average concentration for NO₂

A map showing all 9 of the automatic nitrogen dioxide monitors this year can be seen below.

A map showing all 176 of the manual diffusion tube locations monitored this year can be seen below.

Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs)

Since December 1997 each local authority in the UK has been carrying out a review and assessment of air quality in their area.

If a local authority finds any places where the objectives detailed above are not likely to be achieved, it must declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). This area could be just one or two streets, or it could be much bigger.

Leeds City Council has previously declared 6 AQMAs within the district which exceeded NO₂ objectives in the UK Air Quality Regulations. However, monitoring shows air quality has now met the regulations within 5 of these areas for several years.

The council began the process of formally revoking the following AQMAs in 2023:

• Ebor Gardens, Burmantofts
• Caspar Apartments, North Street
• The Normans, Kirkstall
• The Tilburys, Holbeck
• Chapel Hill, Morley

The Pool-in-Wharfedale AQMA will continue to be kept under review until the area complies with the air quality objectives. A map of this AQMA can be seen below.

Further information related to our AQMAs is available on the UK AIR website.

Actions to improve air quality

Whilst air quality has improved significantly in recent years there are some areas where further action is needed to improve air quality.

What Leeds City Council is doing to improve air quality

Leeds City Council is committed to reducing Leeds' emissions to protect the health of everyone in the city. Doing so supports the strategic pillars (inclusive growth, zero carbon, health and wellbeing) of our Best City Ambition. The council recognises that there are no truly 'safe' levels of air pollution: any exposure to polluted air can have a detrimental impact on our health.

The Leeds Air Quality Strategy 2021-2030 sets out actions that the council is taking to reduce exposure to, and tackle the sources of, air pollution. The strategy also set new targets for local air quality that seek more rapid improvements than required by UK law.

More information about the steps we are taking to protect residents from air pollution can be found on the 'What we are doing about air pollution' web page on the Clean Air Leeds website. A summary detailing a few recent examples of completed work is included below.

Recent examples of actions to improve local air quality

What the UK Government is doing to improve air quality

The Environmental Improvement Plan sets out actions that will drive continued improvements to air quality and to meet new national interim and long-term PM_2.5 targets. The National Air Quality Strategy will provide more information on local authorities’ responsibilities to work towards these new targets and reduce PM_2.5 in their areas. The Road to Zero Strategy details the approach to reduce exhaust emissions from road transport through a number of mechanisms; this is extremely important given that the majority of Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) are designated due to elevated concentrations heavily influenced by transport emissions.

Local engagement and how to get involved

Governance

Leeds City Council consulted on plans for a charging Clean Air Zone and other air quality measures in 2018. The council received more than 12,000 responses in total, of which the vast majority were supportive of action to tackle air pollution.

Following the decision to discontinue the planned charging Clean Air Zone due to reductions in air pollution, the council published an updated Leeds Air Quality Strategy 2021-2030 and accompanying action plan in July 2021. Many of the actions contained within this plan have been subject to public consultation. The council’s Executive Board and Environment, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Board regularly review the strategy’s progress.

Reducing the impact of poor air quality on health has also been identified as a current priority of Leeds’ Health Protection Board, which publicly reports updates on its work to the Leeds Health and Wellbeing Board.

Engagement

Leeds City Council has published extensive information and advice online at the Clean Air Leeds website. The website has been designed and written to be as accessible as possible to facilitate public understanding and transparency. It fully complies with the public sector accessibility regulations. Content includes:

• air pollution and air quality in Leeds
• what we are doing about air pollution
• how to reduce your emissions
• protect yourself from air pollution
• report air quality and pollution issues
• watch a video about air pollution in Leeds

The council regularly engages with residents about air quality and related issues on social media through the dedicated Climate Emergency and Air Quality account on Twitter (@LeedsCC_CEAQ) and other social media channels. A monthly email newsletter with the latest updates and opportunities relating to climate action and air quality is also published and currently has more than 6,900 subscribers.

Additionally, the council marks awareness days including national Clean Air Day with a range of events, announcements, and campaigns to raise awareness of important key messages. Among other activities, Clean Air Day 2022 saw the launch of a new air pollution alert service and the promotion of a dedicated virtual conference for health professionals highlighting the impacts of air quality.

The council regularly engages with businesses one-to-one and encourages organisations to sign up to the West Yorkshire Travel Plan Network to create cost-effective, sustainable ways to travel for business and to commute to work.

2022 saw the conclusion of the popular EV Trials scheme. Over the scheme’s lifetime, trial participants from more than 200 organisations travelled over 300,000 zero emission miles in 52 borrowed vans. More than half of participating organisation said they were now considering switching (or had already switched) one or more vehicles to cleaner, greener electric models. To mark the conclusion of the scheme, the council hosted a ‘Journey to Zero’ virtual conference for organisations with expert speakers from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, Energy Saving Trust, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Element Energy, Fore Consulting, National Highways, EB Charging, and the Institute for Transport Studies.

In July 2022, the council hosted the GB EV Rally at Stourton Park & Ride, a project aimed at highlighting the impressive capability of zero emission vehicles to a national audience. 

The council’s Influencing Travel Behaviour service regularly engages with schools and school pupils to encourage safe and sustainable travel.

Local responsibilities and commitment

This summary report was prepared with the support and agreement of the following council departments:

• Climate, Energy & Green Spaces
• Environmental Advisory Service
• Health Protection
• Transport
• Web team

This ASR has been approved by:

• Cllr Helen Hayden, executive member for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure
• Cllr Mohammed Rafique, executive member for Climate, Energy, Environment and Green Space
• Cllr Salma Arif, executive member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Active Lifestyles
• Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health
• Polly Cook, Chief Officer for Climate, Energy & Green Spaces
• Paul Spandler, Environmental Health Manager

Conclusions and priorities

Air quality in Leeds has improved significantly in recent years, continuing a long-term trend. Nevertheless, there are no truly ‘safe’ levels of air pollution so further action is needed. Poor air quality was linked to 5.4% of deaths that occurred in Leeds in 2021.

Nitrogen dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide levels have reduced considerably since 2019.

Outdoor air in most of the city, its suburbs and surrounding rural areas complied with the UK’s Air Quality Objectives for nitrogen dioxide exposure (short-term and long-term) in 2022.

We have begun the process of revoking five of our Air Quality Management Areas that have met NO₂ regulations for several years.

However, there were twelve locations, mainly in the city centre, that remained above the annual mean air quality objective for nitrogen dioxide.

One monitor near Kirkstall Road and another at Pool-in-Wharfedale measured pollution levels higher than permitted by the national air quality objectives and are locations where some people are likely to be exposed for an hour or longer.

Some locations in the city centre also measured levels of pollution higher than the objectives, however people are unlikely to be exposed to pollution for an hour or longer at these locations.

Pollution levels at Wellington Street, Joseph’s Well, and Yorkshire Post show an increase on their 2021 annual mean results. These sites are likely to have been affected by nearby highways improvement works during the measurement period. Air quality at these sites is expected to improve upon completion of this work.

Pollution levels at some locations in Pool-in-Wharfedale also increased on their 2021 annual mean results. However, other nearby monitors in Pool-in-Wharfedale saw pollution levels decline on their 2021 annual mean results.

Particulates

Monitored levels of particulate matter remain well within the UK Air Quality Objectives, however they have slightly increased in recent years in line with national trends.

The small number of locations where particulate pollution is measured in Leeds means that monitoring results for this category are not currently representative of the whole district. Therefore, meaningful conclusions about the trends or sources of particulate pollution from this data cannot be drawn.

UK Government modelling suggests that the estimated levels of particulate pollution that people in Leeds across the city are exposed to continues to decline.

The council is exploring how the monitoring of particulate matter in Leeds can be improved.

Looking ahead

Leeds City Council has published an air quality strategy and action plan that aims to ensure air quality continues to improve to save lives and improve the city’s health. The strategy continues to be delivered.

Air quality is expected to improve around City Square, Bishopgate Street, Wellington Street, Joseph’s Well, Yorkshire Post and Neville Street upon completion of the Leeds City Square and Armley Gyratory highways improvement schemes in 2023.

Further monitoring will be undertaken at Kirkstall Road and Pool-in-Wharfedale to understand whether additional actions are required.