These are some of the Buckinghamshire hotspots for worst air pollution.

Air pollution is everywhere, leading to around seven million premature deaths world-wide every year and disproportionately harming children and the elderly, the UN environment programme UNEP warned on International Clean Air Day marked since 2019.

Buckinghamshire, like many other counties, is home to local sources of pollution ranging from industry, commercial, domestic and transport sources. 

The UN said: “Air pollution is preventable, but we need everyone on board – from individuals to private companies to governments.”

In Bucks, carbon dioxide emission hotspots were identified at six large sites by the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory map, including RAF High Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville Hospital. 

Stoke Mandeville released 802 tonnes of CO2 in 2019, followed by RAF High Wycombe with 394 tonnes in 2019.

Overall, in Buckinghamshire, its industry produced 245 tonnes of CO2, commercial 206 tonnes, public sector 75 tonnes, domestic 846 tonnes and transport around 1325 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019.

A breakdown of transport emissions reveals motorways produced around 589 tonnes of CO2 in Bucks in 2019 – compared to 379 tonnes of emissions by vehicles on A-roads and around 340 tonnes on minor roads. 

The most dangerous pollutants

Some of the most dangerous pollutants for human health include PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, black carbon and methane gas, experts have warned.

PM2.5, tiny invisible particles from combusting unclean fuel during cooking, industry, agriculture or transportation among others, penetrate into the lungs and bloodstream, leading to higher risk of heart and lung disease, stroke and cancer.

Bucks hotspots for the pollutant were found in Amersham, Aylesbury and Chalfont St Peter in research by the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory. 

Nitrogen dioxide can harm the heart and lungs, and - when high in concentration in places like busy cities - reduce visibility.

Its hotspots are found along the M40 and M25 at major junctions in Buckinghamshire, such as around the M25 and M40 junction between Iver Heath and Fulmer.

Black carbon, also known as soot, is an emission from diesel engines and burning trash, but also from wildfires, said to cause poor health and premature death and increased risk of dementia.

It was present along London Road between Wycombe Marsh and Loudwater, near the A404 and Whielden Lane junction, in Amersham-on-the-Hill, and Chalfont St Peter between the A414 and B416 roundabout and A413-Joiners Lane roundabout.

Methane gas is best known for its origin from livestock, but sewage and solid waste also produces methane. It contributes to respiratory illnesses and premature death.

Methane hotspots in Buckinghamshire include Marlow, where A404 crosses River Thame, and Little Marlow’s Spade Oak Nature Reserve.

Buckinghamshire Council was contacted for a comment.