Air quality in Brighton and Hove
Maximum modelled annual-mean concentrations · DEFRA UK-AIR 2024 calendar year
What is the air quality in Brighton and Hove?
In 2024 calendar year, the maximum modelled annual-mean PM2.5 in Brighton and Hove was 8 µg/m³ (1.6× the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³) and NO2 was 21 µg/m³ (2.1× the WHO guideline of 10 µg/m³). PM2.5 is moderate and NO2 elevated. Source: DEFRA UK-AIR, 2024 calendar year.
Pollutant levels — Brighton and Hove (DEFRA 2024 calendar year)
| Pollutant | Annual mean | WHO 2021 guideline | UK limit | UK status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 (fine particulates) | 8 µg/m³ | 5 µg/m³ (1.6×) | 20 µg/m³ | Compliant |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | 21 µg/m³ | 10 µg/m³ (2.1×) | 40 µg/m³ | Compliant |
DEFRA publishes the maximum modelled annual-mean concentration within each local authority for limit-value compliance. The WHO multiple (×) is a transparent ratio of the DEFRA value to the WHO 2021 annual guideline.
Air quality in nearby local authorities
Related health data on GeraClinic
Frequently asked questions
- Is the air in Brighton and Hove within legal limits?
- For 2024 calendar year, DEFRA reports PM2.5 in Brighton and Hove as 8 µg/m³ — within the UK statutory annual limit of 20 µg/m³ for PM2.5. NO2 is 21 µg/m³ — within the UK statutory annual limit of 40 µg/m³ for NO2. These are the maximum modelled annual-mean concentrations DEFRA uses for compliance assessment.
- How does Brighton and Hove compare with the WHO air quality guideline?
- The World Health Organization's 2021 annual guidelines are 5 µg/m³ for PM2.5 and 10 µg/m³ for NO2 — stricter than the UK statutory limits. Brighton and Hove's PM2.5 (8 µg/m³) is 1.6× the WHO PM2.5 guideline, and its NO2 (21 µg/m³) is 2.1× the WHO NO2 guideline.
- What is PM2.5 and why does it matter for health?
- PM2.5 is fine particulate matter under 2.5 micrometres — small enough to reach deep into the lungs and bloodstream. Long-term exposure is linked to higher rates of respiratory and cardiovascular disease. In Brighton and Hove the annual mean is 8 µg/m³ (2024 calendar year).
- Where does this Brighton and Hove air quality data come from?
- Every figure is taken directly from DEFRA UK-AIR — Air quality annual mean by Local Authority (NO2 & PM2.5), 2024 (2024 calendar year), produced by Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and published under the Open Government Licence v3.0. GeraClinic shows the DEFRA values verbatim; only the WHO-multiple ratios are derived, and they are labelled.
Worried about air pollution in Brighton and Hove?
Long-term exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 is associated with higher rates of respiratory and cardiovascular disease. A GeraClinic care navigator can explain what these DEFRA figures mean for you, assess your individual risk, and connect you with specialist care — fully online.
Contains public sector information published by Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DEFRA UK-AIR — Air quality annual mean by Local Authority (NO2 & PM2.5), 2024 (2024 calendar year, published 2025).