Ammonia levels four times higher in Europe’s farming regions, study finds

Studies have found increased asthma levels in children in agricultural areas with intensive pig farms. Photograph: Peter Flude/The Guardian

A study has revealed the sources of ammonia that is polluting our air and damaging our health and ecosystems.

Researchers collected measurements from 69 locations in the UK and mainland Europe. They found that ammonia is, on average, four times greater in farming regions compared with other areas. Agriculture also added to the ammonia found in the suburbs of many cities.