Pollution on the London Underground tube system includes metallic particles small enough to enter the bloodstream, a study released on Thursday has found.
University of Cambridge researchers discovered high levels of a type of iron oxide called maghemite, suggesting pollution particles are suspended for long periods because of poor ventilation, particularly on platforms.
Using a new type of pollution analysis, they inspected dust samples from London Underground ticket halls, platforms and train drivers' cabins.
Some particles were found to have a diameter of just five nanometres, making them small enough to be inhaled and to enter passengers’ and workers’ bloodstreams.
Transport for London’s chief safety, health and environment officer, Lilli Matson, said: “Safety is our top priority and we have been working for many years to improve air quality on the tube, and will continue to do so.
“We periodically collect samples of tube dust and analyse its content to track levels of potentially harmful materials, including iron, chromium and nickel.
“Analysis has shown that quantities of these materials are well below the legal limits in environments such as the tube.”
In the study, samples were collected in 2019 and 2021 from some of the busiest tube stations, such as Oxford Circus, King’s Cross St Pancras and Paddington.
About 3.5 million journeys a day are made every weekday on the London Underground.
Researchers did not look at whether maghemite particles pose a direct health risk, but they believe their methods could be useful in future studies.
“Our techniques give a much more refined picture of pollution in the Underground,” said Prof Richard Harrison from the university's Department of Earth Sciences, a senior author of a paper produced from the study.
“We can measure particles that are small enough to be inhaled and enter the bloodstream.
“Typical pollution monitoring doesn’t give you a good picture of the very small stuff.”
Pollution levels are normally monitored using standard air filters, which cannot capture ultrafine particles or identify particles.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS
England v New Zealand (Saturday, 12pm)
Wales v South Africa (Sunday, 1pm)
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs: 2019 BMW X4
Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.0L / 100km
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