MORE than four per cent of Bolton deaths have been linked to air pollution.

A leading thinktank, Centre for Cities, has released figures which show how many deaths have been linked to the deadly PM2.5 toxins.

Air pollution was behind 110 deaths in Bolton, 4.3 per cent of all adult deaths – 21 times higher than deaths caused by traffic accidents. Liverpool has the highest proportion of deaths related to air pollution in the North West at 4.6 per cent, with Blackpool at the opposite end of the scale where they account for just 3.5 per cent.

Andrew Carter, chief executive of Centre for Cities, said: “Politicians often talk tough on addressing air pollution but we need to see more action. People in the North West should be at the centre of the fight against its toxic air and councils should take the steps needed, including charging people to drive in city centres and banning wood-burning stoves.

“To help, the Government needs to provide the North West’s councils with extra money and introduce stricter guidelines. The deadly levels of polluted air in the North West are entirely legal. This needs to change.

“As a matter of urgency the Government should adopt WHO’s stricter guidelines around PM2.5 emissions. Failure to act now will lead to more deaths in the North West.”

PM2.5 is a collection of fine solid particles and droplets of liquid in the air that can reduce visibility and affect people’s health.

There is no safe threshold that would prevent any adverse effects, but the current levels break with World Health Organisation’s air pollution guidelines, despite being legal in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Transport is seen as a significant contributor to air pollution, but burning fuels is also a key cause.

Up to half of all PM2.5 generated in cities and large towns comes from wood-burning stoves and coal fires.

The thinktank has said cities in the North West should work to prevent more deaths by introducing “Ultra Low Emission Zones” to charge car and van drivers in city centres, and ban wood-burning stoves and coal fires in areas with higher air pollution.