The public health costs have been estimated at £20bn a year, with 6m working days lost each year as a result of the externalised costs of polluting emissions. The UK has received a “ final warning ” from the European Commission for failing to address violations of air pollution limits in 16 locations , including Birmingham , Glasgow , Manchester and London . Four other countries have also received warnings due to breaches of nitrogen oxide ( NO2 ) levels . The commission will refer the matter to the European court of justice if the countries do not take action within two years . Approximately 50,000 people are believed to die prematurely in the UK each year because of air pollution . The UK has consistently exceeded European Union NO2 levels since 2010 .
The UK has received a “ final warning ” from the European Commission for failing to address violations of air pollution limits in 16 locations , including Birmingham , Glasgow , Manchester and London . Four other countries have also received warnings due to breaches of nitrogen oxide ( NO2 ) levels . The commission will refer the matter to the European court of justice if the countries do not take action within two years . Approximately 50,000 people are believed to die prematurely in the UK each year because of air pollution . The UK has consistently exceeded European Union NO2 levels since 2010 .