​Poor air quality reduces life expectancy in the UK by an average of seven to eight months, with equivalent health costs estimated to be up to £20 billion a year. Improvements between 1990 and 2001 have helped avoid an estimated 4,200 premature deaths a year, and 3,500 hospital admissions a year. The main source of particles is from road transport (ie combustion of petrol and diesel, brake and tyre wear) which is responsible for up to 70% of air pollutants in UK urban areas.

This report presents the results of the 8th consecutive year of monitoring, calendar year 2009 covered by the monitoring period January 2009 to December 2009.