City breathes easy after air quality results

Published on Thursday 28 August 2008 10:44

THE quality of air in Edinburgh is significantly better than most towns and cities in Scotland, a study has found.

A year-long project by the Environmental Health Surveillance System for Scotland found that the levels of pollution were well below the national average in the centre of the Capital.

At 27 micrograms, the level of nitrogen dioxide – mainly caused by traffic fumes – is lower than Aberdeen (62), Dundee (53), Glasgow (70) and Perth (60). The Scottish average is 40.

There are also several small towns across the country where pollution is worse, including Cupar in Fife.

A reading of nine at the Bush Estate in Midlothian was the second lowest in the country.

The information was gathered by a device placed in the St Leonards area of the city.