Crap Towns / Rayleigh / Air quality
How dirty is the air in Rayleigh?
People in Rayleigh breathed an average of 10.8 micrograms of nitrogen dioxide per cubic metre in 2024, 33% higher than the typical town's 8.1, and 7.5 of fine particles (PM2.5), 12% higher than the typical town's 6.7. Both are over the World Health Organization's guidelines of 10 and 5.
| Pollutant | Here | Typical town | WHO guideline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) | 10.8 | 8.1 | 10 |
| Fine particles (PM2.5) | 7.5 | 6.7 | 5 |
| Town | Distance | Nitrogen dioxide, µg/m³ |
|---|---|---|
| Wickford | 5.8 km | 11.2 |
| Thundersley and South Benfleet | 3.7 km | 11.0 |
| Rayleigh | – | 10.8 |
| Canvey Island | 8.1 km | 10.4 |
| Southend-on-Sea | 8.1 km | 10.3 |
| Runwell | 6.2 km | 9.6 |
| Hockley and Hawkwell | 4.3 km | 9.2 |
| Rochford | 7.4 km | 9.1 |
| Hullbridge | 3.5 km | 8.9 |
| South Woodham Ferrers | 5.8 km | 8.9 |
| Ashingdon | 6.6 km | 8.7 |
| The typical town | – | 8.1 |