Scientists have uncovered a Christmas catalogue of ways that pollution can find its way into even the most joyful winter moments.
There are many ways that pollution can find its way into even the most joyful Christmas moments.
As families everywhere get ready to raise a glass to the festive season, University of Birmingham scientists say that Christmas may come with an unexpected list of uninvited guests — a host of pollutants sneaking into our homes, air, and even our drinks.
From ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Yuletide tipples to microplastics mingling in the air during family gatherings, researchers have uncovered a Christmas catalogue of ways that pollution can find its way into even the most joyful winter moments.
During the ‘12 Pollution Days of Christmas’, here are just a handful of festive findings that might make revellers think twice before that next toast, car journey, or roast chestnut.
That mulled wine may be merry, but research from Professor Stuart Harrad detected toxic PFAS or ‘Forever Chemicals’ in bottled water sold in the UK and beyond. His team found 10 ‘target’ PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) – chemicals which do not break down in nature – in tap and bottled water available for consumption in major cities in the UK and China. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were detected in over 99% of samples of bottled water sourced from 15 countries around the world. These stubborn substances do not break down easily — much like that leftover Christmas pudding no one really wants to finish.
’Tis the season for long drives and motorway queues — but the University of Birmingham researchers continue to investigate how vehicle journeys contribute to urban air pollution. Experts assessed how people living, working and visiting London have enjoyed cleaner air following the introduction of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ). So, while sleigh bells ring, spare a thought for the environmental cost of those last-minute shopping trips.
Driving home for Christmas can contribute to air pollution.
According to Dr Hassan Khalid Ageel, the average Birmingham living room contains around 15.6 microplastic particles per cubic metre of air - identifying carpets as an important source of microplastics and noting that, based on body weight , UK toddlers inhale more of these substances than adults. With households gathering round the TV for festive films, sinking those slippers into the shag pile may result in a few of these microscopic guests joining the celebration — no invitation required.
If you are cooking up a Christmas feast, Professor Christian Pfrang has good news: choosing an air fryer over a frying pan is one way to cut back on indoor pollution. Researchers cooked chicken breast using five different methods: pan frying, stir-frying, deep-fat frying, boiling, and air-frying, in a well-controlled research kitchen. They measured the levels of particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by each method and found that air fryers produced the lowest quantities of these pollutants — providing cleaner air and crispier roast potatoes.
Work led by Professor Zongbo Shi shows that children living in less polluted areas actually have better vision, with primary school pupils benefiting most. Exposure to lower levels of air pollutants - specifically nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) - is associated with how well children can see without glasses. Reducing exposure to these pollutants could help slow the progression of myopia or short-sightedness - when distant objects appear blurry. So, for those hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa’s sleigh streaking across the sky, clean air might just help them to sight of Rudolph above the rooftops.
Festive lights, long drives, and lavish spreads bring holiday seasonal joy. University of Birmingham’s researchers remind us all that those small choices — from how we cook to how we travel — can make a big difference to air quality, health, and the environment while still enjoying the winter celebrations.
In November 2025, the University achieved 43rd position globally and 16th in the UK, in the 2025 QS World University Rankings: Sustainability. This achievement coincided with COP30, the premier international summit on climate change. University of Birmingham academics and students gathered in Belém, Brazil to collaborate with policymakers, researchers, and organisations to address critical climate and sustainability issues.
The University of Birmingham is seeking to change society and the environment positively and use its research and education expertise to make a major global contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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As well as being ranked among the world’s top 100 institutions, the University of Birmingham is the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, educators and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries.
Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability)
Professor David Hannah studies hydroclimatology in cold regions, focusing on river dynamics, climate interactions, and ecohydrology.
Professor of Environmental Chemistry
Professor Harrad is an environmental chemist whose research addresses all aspects of the environmental sources, fate and behaviour of persistent organic pollutants.
Professor of Atmospheric Biogeochemistry
Professor Shi's research focuses on atmospheric chemistry and its interactions with ecosystems, air quality, and climate.
Research Fellow
Hassan Khalid Ageel 10 years of experience in different Environmental fields, such as Environmental Inspection, Marine Environments, and Environmental Management.
Professor of Atmospheric Science
Professor Pfrang's work is focusses on gas-phase and heterogeneous atmospheric chemistry exploring the fate of atmospheric aerosols and their impacts on air quality and climate change.
