Check air quality levels

We measure air pollutant concentrations through air quality monitoring and air quality modelling, part of our statutory duty is to review and assess air quality in the borough.

Air quality monitoring

Our monitoring network looks at pollutants which are of greatest concern in Lewisham, these are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5).

We have five automatic monitoring sites at Catford, New Cross, Honor Oak Park, Deptford and Loampit Vale in Lewisham town centre. Alongside this we have 141 non automatic diffusion tubes.

Yearly air quality monitoring

Lewisham’s monitoring network includes non-automatic diffusion tubes which give us monthly averages of NO2. The results are provided on the map as an annual mean which can be used to compare against the annual mean targets provided by Defra and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The 5 automatic monitoring stations provide real-time data on levels of NO2, PM10 and PM2.5. The data has also been provided as an annual mean so that the results can be compared to our air quality objectives.

We use Defra’s annual mean National Air Quality Objectives to compare the data to, the targets are:

PM10 - 40µg/m3
PM2.5 - 20µg/m3
NO2 - 40µg/m3

Lewisham is committed to working towards the WHO (World Health Organisation) air quality guidelines, these are more ambitious than Defra’s current National air quality objectives and are also supported by the Mayor of London's air quality initiatives.

The WHO’s global air quality targets are presented in the map above, the targets are:

PM10 - 15µg/m3
PM2.5 - 5µg/m3
NO2 - 10µg/m3

The WHO Global air quality guidelines include interim targets to help us shift gradually from high to lower levels of pollution.

Daily air quality monitoring

The London air widget below shows the current and forecast air quality levels across London including in Lewisham at our automatic monitoring stations based on the daily air quality index. It also provides health advice on how to reduce your exposure to air pollution depending on the air quality level.

Hourly readings and weekly air pollution reports showing concentrations of pollutants (NO2, PM10, PM2.5) from real - time monitoring sites within the borough can be accessed on the London Air website.