Air pollution levels rose in many major European cities in March, with the highest concentration of nitrogen dioxide recorded in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, according to an RT report.
Cleantech Airly uses AI sensors and algorithms to study the elements nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) in air pollution across European cities.
It found that the concentration of nitrogen dioxide in Newcastle upon Tyne was 44.6 micrograms per cubic meter of air, which is 179 percent of the limit recommended by the World Health Organization in a 24-hour period.
High concentrations of nitrogen dioxide were also found in Naples and Paris, 170% and 165% of the limit recommended by the World Health Organization, respectively.
London and Manchester also reached the top 20, meanwhile, the highest concentrations of PM10 occurred in Malaga and Seville in Spain, both of which were above daily safe levels of PM10 (45 µg/m3). According to Airly, the rise in air pollution has been significantly affected by the desert dust storm that swept Europe.
By knowing the exact state of pollution in their surroundings, governments and local communities are able to take appropriate steps to improve air quality, and then monitor the effectiveness of the actions taken.