Study: deaths linked to London air pollution fell 40%

scienceJun 24, 2026171,088

Imperial College London analysis estimates deaths attributable to London air pollution fell about 40% between 2019 and 2024. The study finds nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations dropped 41% and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) fell 28%, and it links the improvements in part to the citywide Ultra Low Emission Zone and cleaner vehicle standards. At the same time, Imperial recalculated health risks and concluded air pollution contributes more to heart, lung, diabetes, and dementia deaths than earlier models estimated. That combination means the ULEZ and similar policies likely prevented a substantial number of premature deaths and that further pollution cuts could deliver measurable public-health and NHS benefits.

Mark Chadbourn

@chadbourn.bsky.social

All the Reform nutters opposed expanding the ULEZ because they don’t like change. It’s helped cut deaths from air pollution by 40%.

56345d ago

Raymond Bennett33

Hats off to Sadiq Khan who took a big political risk by standing up to shouty 'popular' opinion because he knew it was the right thing to do. This is what I want from all our political leaders?

Buck Frexit18

Yes but some of those saved lives might be brown, hence the problem.

BrianinFrance12

ReFUK: the party of death and destruction, when they are not being racist.

Ilikecaketoo (UK)9

The difference in the air quality walking round parts of major cities, particularly London, is tangible.

Steve O'Gorman 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿7

A 20mph limit in Welsh residential streets has produced similar results. NF supporters are portraying it as a 'blanket' limit for the country, which is crap. Drivers know this, but the far-right contingent deny the evidence of their senses and trot out the 'first step to communism' line every time.

BrianB4

But they DEMAND the right to let "other people" die !!

Elthampug 🇬🇧🇺🇦4

Cameras are still being damaged, mainly on the periphery like the Bexley/Dartford border. Had Johnson brought this in instead of Khan do you really think there would’ve been this much vitriol?

Kate Martin3

Excellent by Sadiq Khan. Such strength and leadership. Yet no one mentions Sadiq Khan as Labour leader.

Nonnie Ida2

I remember sitting with my two sisters in the back seat of the car with my two parents smoking up front — with the windows closed. This is what they want to go back to.

Richard Dubourg2

Actually it's because they don't like paying taxes and don't see why they should do anything to stop other people getting sick.

Mike D London2

I remember trying to point out how bad it was to their Mayoral candidate Howard Cox. He just blocked me instead, which seemed rather discourteous...

James2

Nah. It was because they thought they had a human right to drive huge Chelsea tractors down suburban streets at speeds they wanted and in the direction they wanted. Without any thought for other people.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan

@london.gov.uk

Expanding ULEZ London-wide was even more important than we previously thought. Action on air pollution has been life-saving.

27345d ago

Dickie Davies7

Reform wants to kill your children. Look good on a poster!

Louise3

Sadiq, it took guts and determination to deliver that. There’s not one other politician in the UK who’d have driven it through. BTW Burnham’s regional development strategy could be bad news for London and the UKs growth. Don’t let him get away with it.

Peter Podkin2

Brilliant! Thank you Mr. Mayor.

WATERSHED Investigations

@watershed-i.bsky.social

With strong associations between air pollution + heart + breathing conditions, diabetes + dementia, if you want to ease pressure on the NHS, start by cutting air pollution. Credit to Khan for sticking to this in the face of all the anti-ULEZ hysteria: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

12045d ago

David Thompson

@djt1million.bsky.social

Air pollution in London is much lower than it used to be when at the end of each day there would be a grey ring of dirt around my shirt collar, and this is not back in the 'olden days' but maybe a decade or so ago. Well done, cleaning our air has been a huge success.

5145d ago

David Thompson17

Now address the climate emergency with the same vigour & hopefully the same success. This proves that major. improvements in our environment can & do happen when there's a will & this is hugely urgent as anyone sweltering this summer knows all too well.

Mums for Lungs

@mumsforlungs.bsky.social

‼️ High Air Pollution Alert ‼️ Increased levels of ozone and the potential for higher levels of particulate matter due to the dry conditions have triggered a high alert in London. @london.gov.uk is urging people not to idle their engines or burn garden waste. Can you also consider every drive?

1446d ago

Marsha de Cordova

@marshadecordova.bsky.social

Mayor @sadiqkhanlondon.bsky.social's bold action on Ulez hasn't just boosted air quality & reduced pollution - it's saved lives. Expanding Ulez across the capital was the right decision, for public health, our environment & to ensure longer, healthier lives. www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...

1245d ago

LuxJude352

@luxjude352.bsky.social

The results are in. Now that Sadiq Khan has been vindicated with his #ULEZ policy will the opponents be lining up to apologize? Of course not. “Deaths linked to air pollution fell by an estimated 40% in London over the five years from 2019, according to new analysis.” #r4today #Pollution

745d ago

Steve Chambers

@planningtransport.co.uk

Tories and the far right fought a straw-man loosely based on this policy and were taken seriously by far too many people. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

945d ago

Zoe Banks Gross

@zoebanksgross.bsky.social

Air pollution is a fixable problem – just look at how London and New York have cleaned up their acts | Sadiq Khan and Michael Bloomberg www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

545d ago

lougreen.bsky.social

@lougreen.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/environment/... This is a huge vindication of Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ plan despite being vilified by right wing politicians and commentators.

645d ago

Raymond Bennett

@raymondbennett.bsky.social

Hats off to @london.gov.uk Sadiq Khan who took a big political risk by standing up to shouty 'popular' opinion because he knew it was the right thing to do. Andy Burnham take notice. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

645d ago

Allen AC

@allenac009.bsky.social

“Deaths linked to air pollution fell by an estimated 40% in London over the five years from 2019, according to new analysis. The city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, welcomed what he called ‘overwhelming evidence’ that his ultra-low emission zone was saving lives.”

444d ago

Prof Matt Hannon

@matthannon.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/environment/... We can do amazing things that help the environment and save lives. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Helplessness is not an option. We must work hard, together and with the needs of the most vulnerable at the forefront of our minds. Congrats @london.gov.uk

445d ago