Gera Air Health Index — Best Air Quality in England
296 English local authorities · DEFRA PCM 2024 · UKHSA Fingertips
Which English local authority has the best air quality and lowest health impact from air pollution?
As of 2024, Isles of Scilly has the highest Gera Air Health Index in England at 10.0/10 — rank 1 of 296 local authorities. Its population-weighted annual mean PM2.5 concentration is 4.20 µg/m3, the lowest recorded by DEFRA's Pollution Climate Mapping model. The Gera Air Health Index combines PM2.5 exposure with UKHSA health-burden data; no other source publishes it.
Top 10 cleanest local authorities
See all 296 →| Rank | Local authority | GAH/10 | PM2.5 (µg/m3) | WHO met? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isles of Scilly | 10.0 | 4.20 | Yes ✓ |
| 2 | Cumberland | 9.7 | 4.44 | Yes ✓ |
| 3 | North Devon | 9.3 | 4.66 | Yes ✓ |
| 4 | Torridge | 9.3 | 4.68 | Yes ✓ |
| 5 | Westmorland and Furness | 9.2 | 4.74 | Yes ✓ |
| 6 | West Devon | 9.0 | 4.88 | Yes ✓ |
| 7 | South Hams | 8.8 | 5.03 | No |
| 8 | Northumberland | 8.7 | 5.04 | No |
| 9 | Cornwall | 8.7 | 5.08 | No |
| 10 | Wyre | 8.5 | 5.18 | No |
WHO 2021 annual guideline: 5 µg/m3
Only 6 of 296 English local authorities meet the WHO 2021 annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m3. The UK has a legally binding interim target of 10 µg/m3 by 2028 (Environment Act 2021). Rural and coastal areas generally have the lowest concentrations.
10 most polluted local authorities
| Rank | Local authority | GAH/10 | PM2.5 (µg/m3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 296 | City of London | 0.0 | 10.96 |
| 295 | Tower Hamlets | 1.7 | 9.81 |
| 294 | Westminster | 1.8 | 9.71 |
| 293 | Islington | 1.9 | 9.69 |
| 292 | Hackney | 1.9 | 9.65 |
| 291 | Newham | 1.9 | 9.64 |
| 290 | Camden | 2.1 | 9.55 |
| 289 | Southwark | 2.1 | 9.51 |
| 288 | Kensington and Chelsea | 2.3 | 9.42 |
| 287 | Lambeth | 2.5 | 9.28 |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Gera Air Health Index?
- The Gera Air Health Index (GAH/10) is a per-local-authority score combining DEFRA's population-weighted annual mean PM2.5 concentration (2024) with UKHSA Fingertips mortality-fraction data. A score of 10/10 means cleanest air and lowest health burden; 0/10 means the most polluted local authority in the dataset. The national average is 5.9/10 across 296 English local authorities.
- What is PM2.5 and why does it matter?
- PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less. These particles penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, raising the risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, and premature death with long-term exposure. The WHO sets a 2021 annual guideline of 5 µg/m3; the UK has a legally binding interim target of 10 µg/m3 by 2028.
- Where does the data come from?
- PM2.5 data: DEFRA Pollution Climate Mapping (PCM) model, population-weighted annual mean for 2024 (popwmpm252024byUKlocalauthority.csv). Health context: UKHSA Fingertips indicator 93861. Both Open Government Licence v3.0.
- How is the GAH/10 score calculated?
- For upper-tier LAs: GAH = 0.6 × PM2.5_score + 0.4 × health_context_score, where each sub-score is min-max normalised (higher = cleaner/healthier). For lower-tier districts: GAH = PM2.5_score. Full formula at https://gerarent.com/methodology/gera-air-health-index.
Find clean-air rentals near you
Browse verified rental listings in English local authorities ranked by the Gera Air Health Index. Filter by area, price, and air quality.
Browse rentals by air qualitySources: DEFRA Pollution Climate Mapping (PCM) 2024 (popwmpm252024byUKlocalauthority.csv); UKHSA Fingertips indicator 93861, 2024. Open Government Licence v3.0. The Gera Air Health Index is computed by GeraRent; see methodology.