Breathing in dirty air can increase the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease and lung cancer, and concern over these health risks has prompted many cities across the UK to introduce or plan low emission zones.
The Indices of Multiple Deprivation, published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, measures local deprivation levels by analysing various factors affecting communities, such as income, health, crime and pollution levels.
The pollution data, published in 2019, estimates the concentration of four pollutants – nitrogen dioxide, benzene, sulphur dioxide and particulates – all of which can cause ill health. The higher the score, the higher the levels of air pollution in the local area. The figures show wide geographical variations in how clean the air is around the country.
Holborn, St Giles and Bloomsbury South in Camden was found to have the worst air pollution levels in the country with a score of 1.90 – six times greater than the Isles of Scilly which had the lowest levels of air pollution at 0.32.
How does your local area compare? Here we reveal the 20 areas in Northumberland with the lowest levels of air pollution.
. Blurred image of People walking on the street, with car, building in background. On Princes Street, the main shopping street in Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
The areas of Northumberland with the best air quality. Photo: moomusician - stock.adobe.com
. Bellingham, Otterburn and Redesdale
The Bellingham, Otterburn and Redesdale area had the best air pollution in the area, with a score of 0.35. Photo: Google
. Rothbury and Longframlington
Joint second best was Rothbury and Longframlington on 0.36. Photo: Google
. Haltwhistle and Bardon Mill
Joint second best was Haltwhistle and Bardon Mill on 0.36. Photo: Google
. Haydon Bridge and Allendale
Joint 4th best was Haydon Bridge and Allendale on 0.37. Photo: Google
. Seahouses, Belford and Wooler
Joint 4th best was Seahouses, Belford and Wooler on 0.37. Photo: Ian Smith
. Berwick West and Holy Island
6th best was Berwick West and Holy Island on 0.40. Photo: Zoltan Simonffy
1. Bellingham, Otterburn and Redesdale
The Bellingham, Otterburn and Redesdale area had the best air pollution in the area, with a score of 0.35. Photo: Google
2. Rothbury and Longframlington
Joint second best was Rothbury and Longframlington on 0.36. Photo: Google
3. Haltwhistle and Bardon Mill
Joint second best was Haltwhistle and Bardon Mill on 0.36. Photo: Google
4. Haydon Bridge and Allendale
Joint 4th best was Haydon Bridge and Allendale on 0.37. Photo: Google