Defra UK AIR background maps and how to use modelled 1 km data

Defra UK AIR background maps provide modelled air quality data at 1 km resolution. They are useful for comparing broad area exposure, but they are not a measurement at a specific front door, school gate or road junction.

Defra UK AIR background maps are modelled background pollution datasets produced at 1 km by 1 km resolution under the Pollution Climate Mapping framework. They are produced for policy, reporting and research uses, and commonly provide annual mean concentrations for pollutants such as PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide. For area comparison, use them to compare broad background exposure between areas, but do not treat them as exact street level measurements. Near road exposure, local street canyons, industrial sources and monitoring station readings may differ from the modelled grid cell.

• Defra UK AIR: Pollution Climate Mapping data


• Defra UK AIR: Modelled air quality data


• GOV.UK: Air quality statistics background