Ammonia from farms behind 60% of UK particulate air pollution – study

Problem is causing 8bn a year in health damage but can be tackled cost-effectively, say scientists

Sixty per cent of the tiny particles polluting the air in the UK are from ammonia leaking from farms, according to research.

The ammonia is released from livestock manure and urine and the overuse of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers. The gas drifts into cities and reacts with other air pollutants to form tiny particulate matter, called PM2.5, which is the deadliest form of air pollution.