A NEW report on air quality has shown a promising start to Glasgow's Low Emission Zone (LEZ). 

Data in the 2024 Annual Progress Report on Air Quality has shown nitrogen dioxide levels in the city centre and LEZ area have fallen by an average of 20% compared to diffusion tube monitoring the previous year. 

The report, which covers the 2023 calendar year, is the first to consider pollution levels during LEZ enforcement.

The largest reduction of nitrogen dioxide levels compared to 2022's recordings was seen on Saltmarket with a reduction of 33.3%. 

READ NEXT: Report says Glasgow on the way to meeting student accommodation demand

The smallest drop was recorded under the Heilanman's Umbrella which had a drop of just 3.3%. 

Diffusion tube monitoring also showed a 15.3% drop in nitrogen dioxide concentrations in locations outside the city centre. 

Air pollution is also observed by 11 automatic monitoring stations around the city. 

Like the previous year, all stations recorded nitrogen dioxide concentrations below the legal objective with 2023's results showing further decreases in levels of the pollutant. 

However, the data for 2023 also highlighted areas of concern. 

Diffusion tube monitoring on Gordon Street and under the Heilanman's Umbrella showed nitrogen dioxide levels exceeded the objective level of 40ug/m3 with a maximum recorded level of 42.1ug/m3 (micrograms per cubic metre of air).

The location under the Heilanman's Umbrella is subject to poor dispersion and is not suitable for direct comparison with the objectives but it will continue to be monitored. 

Whilst all automatic monitoring stations showed compliance with the legal levels, the station on Hope Street only narrowly met the objective – a repeat of 2022’s result.

The compliance recorded an annual mean of 39.0ug/m3.

Both Gordon Street and Hope Street's nitrogen dioxide levels were recorded next to the taxi ranks which is the main source of emissions. 

READ NEXT: 'Underground' restaurant with 'adventurous' menu opening soon in Glasgow

Levels of particulate matter (PM10) recorded across the city were satisfactory with both the daily mean and annual mean objectives being met at all monitoring locations. 

Annual mean concentrations recorded at ten automatic monitoring stations ranged from 8.2ug/m3 to 12.0ug/m3 against an objective level of 18ug/m3 .

Meanwhile, levels of ultra-fine particulate matter (PM2.5) recorded across the city were satisfactory with the annual mean objective being met at all monitoring locations. 

Annual mean concentrations recorded at nine automatic monitoring stations ranged from 4.4ug/m3 to 6.5ug/m3 against an objective level of 10ug/m3 .

Ultra-fine particulate matter is considered to have a significant impact on human health with the report saying the city is "performing well" in respect to the levels. 

Angus Millar, city convener for Transport and Climate, said: "Air pollution contributes to hundreds of deaths in Glasgow each year, as well as exacerbating long-term health inequalities and the health conditions of thousands of Glaswegians.

"Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone was introduced to address stubbornly high levels of air pollution in the city centre – and with Dundee, Aberdeen and Edinburgh now implementing their own LEZs, Scotland’s cities have joined hundreds across Europe in taking this kind of action to improve air quality.

"The early progress recorded in Glasgow in 2023 – with a 20% drop in the city centre’s nitrogen dioxide levels – is really encouraging.

"With some locations still showing breaches of legal limits, however, the impact of the LEZ’s full rollout will only become clear with next year’s annual monitoring data, and Glasgow will continue our work to seek cleaner, more breathable air that meets legal requirements."

Enforcement of the LEZ began on June 1, 2023, and did not apply to zone residents or non-compliant taxis, meaning it is too soon to determine the full impact on air quality.