Surbiton has the worst air quality in south London, according to new data.

New data from IQAir revealed the air quality in Surbiton, Worcester Park, Erith, Norbury, Purley, Staines-upon-Thames, Croydon, and Wandsworth in 2023.

Air quality refers to the condition of the air, and the pollutants, contaminants, and other factors that can affect human health and the environment. 

The data showed that many areas exceeded the World Health Organisation's recommended 5μg/m³ (micrograms per cubic metre).

Micrograms refer to the tiny pollution particles in the air. 

Surbiton had an average of 13μg/m³ last year, with levels reaching 18.7μg/m³ in February 2023.

Worcester Park had an average of 12.6μg/m³, with its peak being in July 2023 at 13.4μg/m³. 

The area with the lowest average, but did still exceed the WHO's recommended level, was Norbury, which had an average of 7.9μg/m³ and a peak of 12.5μg/m³ in January 2023. 

Norbury did meet the recommended limit in July when its air quality level was 5μg/m³.

In December 2023, Surbiton still had the highest level of pollutants with 9.3μg/m³, whereas Wandsworth had the lowest level of 5.6μg/m³.