Air pollution continues to be a silent killer in Tayside, with streets in Dundee, Perth and Crieff still breaching safety limits.
The study by Friends of the Earth Scotland from official data shows high levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulates from vehicle exhausts in some of Scotland’s busiest commuter streets.
Figures show air pollution in Seagate, Meadowside and Lochee Road in Dundee, Atholl Street in Perth and West High Street in Crieff had not met targets which were supposed to have been achieved in 2005 and 2010.
The results follow new evidence that long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of having a heart attack as well as respiratory diseases.
Friends of the Earth Tayside coordinator Andrew Llanwarne said: “The Scottish Government and local councils have known about this problem for years, but have failed to bring forward the radical measures necessary to reduce traffic in our city centres.
“People have to walk to and from work, children walk to school and elderly people go to the shops, breathing this atmospheric soup of invisible poisons which are continually damaging our health.
“Official health statistics for Tayside show that people in large urban areas are almost twice as likely to be admitted to hospital with respiratory diseases compared to those in rural areas, and this must be largely due to the higher levels of air pollution.”
Dundee City Council say their air quality management strategy is lowering pollution levels across the city, with green energy transport initiatives being encouraged.
Labour Councillor Richard McCready said: “It is clearly a concern that three streets in Dundee make this list.
“I know that the city council is working on these issues but we need to make sure that these problems are solved.
“People in Dundee deserve reassurance over air quality in the city.”