EIGHTEEN areas across Britain have been found to have unsafe nitrogen dioxide levels, research showed yesterday following the Volkswagen (VW) scandal.

Public-sector union GMB warned that high emissions were putting the health of street cleaners and refuse and parking staff at serious risk.

Analysing official data from 110 monitoring stations across Britain, GMB found that in the 18 areas the mean average level of nitrogen dioxide, one of the pollutants VW has been hiding in car emissions test, was higher than the recommended 40 micrograms per cubic metre.

“These figures on nitrogen dioxide confirm the urgent need for better air quality monitoring in urban and built-up areas.

Clean air should be a right, not a privilege,” said GMB national health officer John McClean.

“Road transport is a major cause of air pollution. Even though engine technology is improving, these exposure levels are still dangerously high, and place workers and the public at increased risk of respiratory diseases.

“What VW has done is unforgivable. The company should be severely punished for its immoral, devious and deceitful approach to public health risks.”