Breathing in dirty air can increase the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease and lung cancer, and concern over these health risks has prompted many cities across the UK to introduce or plan low emission zones.
Now, as National Clean Air Month draws to a close, we are looking at the areas where residents can breathe more easily as they have the least air pollution.
The Indices of Multiple Deprivation, published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, measures local deprivation levels by analysing various factors affecting communities, such as income, health, crime and pollution levels.
The pollution data, published in 2019, estimates the concentration of four pollutants – nitrogen dioxide, benzene, sulphur dioxide and particulates – all of which can cause ill health. The higher the score, the higher the levels of air pollution in the local area.
The figures show wide geographical variations in how clean the air is around the country.
The Isles of Scilly had the lowest level of air pollution at 0.32 – six times lower than the score of 1.90 in Holborn, St Giles and Bloomsbury South in Camden.
How does your local area compare? Here we reveal the 12 areas in Wigan with the lowest levels of air pollution.
1. Best air quality in Wigan borough
Aspull and Red Rock had the least air pollution in the borough, with a score of 0.75 Photo: Google Street View
2. Best air quality in Wigan borough
Standish South had the second best air quality in the area, with a score of 0.77 Photo: Google Street View
3. Best air quality in Wigan borough
Shevington was the area with the third best air quality in Wigan borough, with a score of 0.81 Photo: Google Street View
4. Best air quality in Wigan borough
Standish North had the fourth best air quality in the borough, with a score of 0.82 Photo: Google Street View