The UK’s most toxic cities

Have you ever wondered how many toxins you’re exposed to every day in your city?

Is Your House Killing You?, an interactive guide from Good Move, looks at the number of landfill sites, active power stations, CO2 emissions, air pollution rates and annual average daily flow of traffic, to reveal the most toxic cities across the UK.

Leeds: the most toxic city

According to the guide, Leeds is the most toxic city to live in. Statistics from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy reveal Leeds has one of the highest rates of carbon emissions, producing an astonishing 4,000kt per year.

Cardiff is exposed as the most congested city, with the Department for Transport revealing an annual average daily traffic flow of 34,017 vehicles across major roads. However, statistics from SUEZ show that Cardiff also boasts the highest percentage of waste recycled, with an impressive 58,1%.

Newcastle is the least toxic city, with no active power stations, no sewage treatment plants and only one electrical substation and landfill site. The city also boasts a low rate of carbon emissions, producing only 1,335kt per year.

Birmingham recycles only 24.4% of waste, while Nottingham has the lowest carbon emissions with only 1,222 kt – almost nine times less than Central London.