Air pollution risk in high-rise city centres

HIGH-RISE city centres may turn out to be pollution death traps as scientists fear tall buildings trap dangerous “invisible smog”.

- By Chris Riches

Research shows that streets narrower than 65ft experience irregular and often dangerously high spikes in particulate levels.

A survey analysed particulates PM10 and PM2.5, which cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and are classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation.

Nottingham Trent University researchers on a walking survey from Finsbury Square to Undershaft in the skyscraper-packed City of London found the highest pollution spikes in sites such as Wilson Street (46ft wide) and Eldon Street (43ft) where PM10 levels topped recommended daily thresholds.

Canyons