Pollutionwatch: hitting home, the everyday chemicals that boost the smogs

Households as well as factories in the UK are pushing volatile chemicals into the air, helping to create those long-lasting hazes

The recent hot weather has allowed us to enjoy life outdoors - afternoons in the park, evenings in the garden - but it comes with a downside. Summer smog has enveloped the UK, with southern England the worst affected. In south-east England air pollution was moderate or high on the government's information system for 17 consecutive days. This was the longest run of summer smog for seven years.

Across Lancashire, Manchester and Merseyside, smoke from moorland fires added to the air pollution cocktail.