22nd December 1994 - Manchester – foulest air in Britain?

Readings taken for a national survey on 22nd December 1994 showed a level of 170 part per billion for nitrogen dioxide in the city centre, compared with 94 of Glasgow, 75 for Liverpool and 48 for Birmingham. The carbon monoxde readings were 9.6 parts per million, as compared to 6 for Glasgow, 3 for Liverpool and 2.7 for Birmingham. In the UK, only Belfast scored higher, at 16 parts per million.

Source: Traffic control key to clearing dirtiest air in the country, The Guardian, 20th January 1995