The most polluted streets in Edinburgh have been revealed in new research uncovering the air quality of some of the Capital’s busiest areas.
Queensferry Road was found to suffer from higher levels of harmful toxins in the air than anywhere else in the city, according to green campaigners.
The traffic-heavy thoroughfare, which extends from the West End of Princes Street to Blackhall, recorded 29.62 micrograms of nitrogen dioxide per cubic metre (µg/m3) during tests.
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Experts have linked the output from car engines to a host of serious health risks including dementia and respiratory illnesses.
Friends of the Earth Scotland (FOES) also found the street was among the worst offenders for the production of particulate matter and called for more to be done to curb “unacceptable” levels.
The group said the Capital’s air quality worsened in 2021 after an “outlying” year in 2020 when the Covid pandemic led to a drastic reduction in the number of vehicles on the road.
FOES said their research showed that “every street in Edinburgh experienced higher levels of pollution” last year compared with the previous 12 months.
St John’s Road, in the Corstorphine area of the city, recorded levels of 28.72 µg/m3 while Salamander Street was tested at 21.72.
The Leith location topped the Edinburgh rankings for particulate matter in the air at 15.42 µg/m3 - higher than anywhere else in Scotland.
FOES said particulate matter could be thrown up by building or metal breaking works as well as car engines.
The World Health Organisation advises that there is no safe level of exposure to particulate matter because it can penetrate the deepest part of the lungs.
FOES transport campaigner Gavin Thomson said: “Edinburgh’s air pollution problem worsened in 2021 and this is unacceptable.
“The health links between air pollution and Covid-19 should push us to redouble our efforts to clean up our air and protect public health.”
He added: “Pollution damages our health through long-term exposure, such as living near a main road throughout your childhood.
“The reduced pollution for a couple of months in 2020 is unlikely to have many long-term health benefits. The rebound of toxic pollution in 2021 puts us all at risk.”
Gorgie Road and Glasgow Road were also ranked among the Capital’s dirtiest streets, recording nitrogen dioxide levels of 17.57 µg/m3 and 16.67 µg/m3 respectively.
Meanwhile, Nicolson Street, Tower Street and St Leonard’s Street all placed in the particulate matter league of shame.
The European Ambient Air Quality Directive set a limit for nitrogen dioxide of 40 µg/m3 in 2010, but at least one area of Scotland has breached that cap every year since - bar during the 2020 lockdown.
FOES data shows year-on-year rises in pollution across all of Edinburgh, but the legal limit was not broken.
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Edinburgh's dirtiest streets:
Location / NO2 Nitrogen Dioxide annual mean (µg/m3)
Queensferry Road / 29.625
St John's Road / 28.721
Gorgie Road / 17.575
Glasgow Road / 16.675
St Leonard's Street / 14.213
Location / Particulate Matter annual mean (µg/m3)
Salamander Street / 15.439
Queensferry Road / 11.972
St John's Road / 11.002
Glasgow Road / 10.239
Nicolson Street / 10.067
Tower Street / 9.924
