Newcastle has been named the worst city in Europe for nitrogen dioxide pollution in the air, according to a new study.
The city recorded the highest concentration of NO2 across the continent in March, according to scientists at air quality monitoring firm Airly. However, the “oversimplified” findings have reignited a row with council bosses, who insist that they are not an accurate picture of Newcastle's pollution problem.
Airly said that the concentration of nitrogen dioxide in the city last month was 44.6 micrograms per cubic metre of air (µg/m3), a number 179% higher than the World Health Organisation's recommended limit. Naples came second highest in the ranking with 42.4 µg/m3, followed by Paris on 41.2, with London 16th on 29.4.
