Bonfire night causes highest ever recorded levels of particulates in Cheltenham

6 November 2020

Bonfires and fireworks in Cheltenham last night caused levels of particulates (PM2.5) to soar to ‘code red’ levels. A Purple Air particulates monitor in Leckhampton recorded a peak level of over 300 ug/m3 of PM2.5 on the evening of the 5th November. A second monitor nearby in Church Road recorded a peak of over 200 ug/m3. These dangerous levels are the highest since particulates monitoring in Cheltenham began, about 18 months ago.

The World Health Organisation recommends a safe threshold of 10 ug/m3. The UK legal limit is 25 ug/m3. These figures are for ‘annual mean’ exposure, but these peak levels in Cheltenham were at the highest levels of DEFRA’s Air Quality Index. People exposed to these levels of air pollution are advised to stay indoors, reduce physical exertion, and people with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often.

Similar reports of high levels of particulates pollution on Bonfire Night have been reported by clean air groups across the country. The pollution caused by bonfires and fireworks was made worse by a combination of weather conditions: high pressure and no wind.

Air Quality News also reported spikes in pollution in every major city in the UK. Harriet Edwards, senior policy and projects manager for Air Quality, Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, said: “It’s not uncommon to see fluctuations in pollution levels around bonfire night, particularly where pollution is already high so can take longer to disperse. We know anecdotally that firework sales were higher this year due to there being no public displays which added to the problem in residential areas as more people took to having displays in their back gardens.”

Peter Frings, speaking for Clean Air Cheltenham said: “In common with other clean air groups, we think there should at the very least be a public information campaign by the government discouraging bonfires and fireworks, and warning people of the health risks if they go outside on Bonfire Night. Most people simply aren’t aware of the dangers of having a bonfire and letting off fireworks, and many would stop doing so if there was clear guidance from the government.”

Data readings for the Purple Air particulates monitors in Leckhampton can be viewed here. The monitors are paid for by Leckhampton with Warden Hill Parish Council.

Readings from the Church Road monitor are shown below: