Fog traps particulate pollution across England’s urban areas

Eleven monitoring sites, mainly in London and Greater Manchester, reached the top band of the government’s particulate pollution index in the 24 hours to 10am on 9 November 2026, the Guardian reported. Another 27 sites registered high levels across several English regions. Hillingdon recorded the highest 24-hour average for fine particles, at 129 micrograms per cubic metre.

Clean Air Fund chief executive Jane Burston said fireworks and bonfires were highly likely contributors, although monitoring networks could not identify the pollution’s origins. Light winds and fog prevented emissions from dispersing. London’s mayoral office issued a high-pollution alert for 10 November, while Defra said stronger winds were expected to lower levels later that week.

Particulate pollution is linked to heart and lung disease and cancer, making these elevated readings a public-health concern. Campaigners called for clearer health alerts and reductions in burning and transport emissions. Their comments highlighted both seasonal celebrations and everyday pollution sources, but the report did not establish how much each contributed to this episode.