YORK’S air is considered too dangerous to breathe by the World Health Organisation, a report has shown.

The city is one of 44 UK locations to fail the World Health Organisation’s test for fine sooty particles smaller than 2.5 microns that have been linked to heart disease and premature death.

Exposure to the particles, known as PM2.5s, should not exceed 10 micrograms per cubic metre of air, according to the health organisation, however, York’s air had 12 micrograms per cubic metre.

Dr Toby Hillman, one of the report’s authors from the Royal College of Physicians, said: “There isn’t a safe limit for the amount of pollution that’s been defined as yet and we know the effects of poor air quality run from cradle to grave; it’s a lifetime threat to human health.

“This is a really direct and tangible impact on UK health from the drivers of climate change, and taking action on air quality should be a priority.”

Glasgow was one of the polluted cities, with a PM2.5s concentration of 16 micrograms per cubic metre.

London and Leeds both had 15 micrograms of the particles in every cubic metre-sized parcel of air, Cardiff and Birmingham 14, and Manchester 13.

Out of the UK’s 43 air quality zones, York is one of 38 that have failed to meet Nitrogen Dioxide limits stipulated by the European Union “and are unlikely to do so before 2020”.

City of York Council set itself a target of creating a clean air zone in the centre of York by 2018 - by taking action on things like highly polluting diesel buses.

A petition signed by 600 people was handed into the authority in June, pushing the council to keep their promise.

Cllr Andrew Waller, interim deputy leader with responsibility for the environment, said: “In July the annual air quality report showed a six-year trend of air pollution falling in the city. Switching more city centre located vehicles like buses and taxis to electric or hybrid engines is a step forward. As part of our low emission strategy the city will soon have the first fully electric Park & Ride fleet in the country to make further progress.”