London’s Mayor Issues First ‘Very High’ Air Pollution Alert

The Houses of Parliament in London is shrouded in fog on Jan. 23.

Photographer: Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

Sadiq Khan issued the first “very high” air pollution alert of his eight-month tenure as London mayor, advising citizens to reduce physical exertion and avoid running outside.

The current air pollution episode, worsened by cold and settled weather, has seen levels of dangerous PM10 particulate pollution rise in parts of London to 101 micrograms per cubic meter, Khan’s office said on Monday in an e-mailed statement. That’s more than double permitted hourly levels. Camden, the City of London and Westminster are the worst-affected areas, with a pollution rating of 10, the highest on a 10-point scale.