London Mayor Sadiq Khan issued a high air pollution alert for the capital urging residents to take precautions.
The air pollution reached very high levels across several urban areas of England on Monday, as calm winds and foggy conditions prevented pollutants from dispersing following a weekend of fireworks, bonfires and Diwali celebrations, according to The Guardian.
Government air quality monitoring data showed that 11 locations, largely across London and Greater Manchester, recorded the highest category on the 10-point particulate matter pollution index during the 24 hours up to 10 am.
Another 27 monitoring stations reported “high” pollution levels across London, the north-west, the Midlands, Yorkshire and eastern England.
Larissa Lockwood, director of campaigns at global action plan, said the surge in pollution was expected during a period when households light wood-burning stoves, organise bonfires and celebrate with fireworks. Domestic burning and transport are among the largest contributors to particulate pollution, according to Lockwood.