15/07/2008
Government set to further fail Londoners over poor air quality
- Worst sites for air pollution in London revealed
In the light of new research into air pollution across London, Jean Lambert, London's Green Party MEP, today slammed Government plans to delay meeting new EU air quality targets [1]. Many sites in London are frequently exceeding current standards, but instead of tackling the problem the Government is planning to seek derogations from the EU Air Quality Directive standards.
"Over 1000 people die prematurely every year in London as a result of poor air quality, far more than die in traffic accidents. Air pollution is the invisible urban killer and the Government should be doing everything possible to clean up the air we breathe," said Ms Lambert [2].
At all but one of the 47 monitoring stations across London the level of nitrogen dioxide, NO2, consistently exceeds current air quality standards [3] and the level of PM10 particulate matter is exceeding current standards at 6 sites [4].
Yet this week, the Green Party MEP for London received confirmation from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that the Government is likely to seek extended compliance deadlines for the pollutants NO2 and PM10, which have grave impacts on human health. If the European Commission approves the Government's request to delay it would allow a further five years from 2010 for compliance.
Jean Lambert continued:
"I am very concerned that London's air quality is already falling below EU standards and if the Government is successful in seeking derogations from the new standards it will take the UK further away from meeting its obligations.
"Poor air quality presents a major threat to public health and it is imperative that the Government commits to fully comply with the new EU Air Quality Directive standards as early as possible."
She added:
"The area around Heathrow is also a hot spot and consistently fails current air quality standards. The UK Government has no current action plan for addressing non-compliance and any increase in air and road traffic will simply intensify the problem and cause greater health problems for local residents."
Notes to Editors
[1] The EU Air Quality Directive
The Air Quality Directive came into force on 11 June 2008. It requires Member States to reduce exposure to nitrogen dioxide in urban areas. The limit value of 40 ug/m3 should be achieved by January 2010. Member States may seek a five-year extension to this deadline but will have to meet specific criteria for derogation to be allowed.
The standards for NO2 and PM10 will remain the same as current standards, but the rules will be extended to cover fine particles (PM2.5), a pollutant with serious health consequences.
[2] Health impacts of NO2 and PM10
Air pollution has impacts on human health ranging from minor effects on the respiratory system to reduced lung function, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular disease and reduced life expectancy.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3) and particles (PM10 and PM2.5) are the main air pollutants of note in the UK. Of these, particles are the largest threat to human health they are through to take an average of 8 months off the life expectancy of the average EU citizen (European Environment Agency), and to have been responsible for over 1, 000 premature deaths in London alone during 2005 (GLA estimate).
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) - A respiratory irritant
Particles (PM10 and PM2.5) - Long-term exposure to particles (especially PM2.5) is associated with premature mortality, especially from heart and lung conditions. Recent studies have also suggested that high levels of PM2.5 in childhood can permanently impair lung function. High levels of particles can affect asthma sufferers.
[3] Twenty worst sites in London for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) pollution, all exceeding current air pollution standard of 40 ug/m3
Average levels of NO2 recorded so far in 2008
1. Lambeth
Brixton Road monitoring station
221 ug/m3
2. Kensington & Chelsea
Earl's Court Road monitoring station
117 ug/m3
3. Westminster
Marylebone Road / Baker Street monitoring site
108 ug/m3
4. Kensington & Chelsea
Knightsbridge monitoring station
105 ug/m3
5. Kensington & Chelsea
King's Road monitoring station
96 ug/m3
6. Lambeth
Vauxhall Cross monitoring station
85 ug/m3
7. Camden
Shaftesbury Avenue monitoring station
83 ug/m3
8. Sutton
Wallington monitoring station
79 ug/m3
9. Camden
Swiss Cottage monitoring station
77 ug/m3
10. Hounslow
Chiswick High Road monitoring station
73 ug/m3
11. Hammersmith & Fulham
Broadway monitoring station
73 ug/m3
12. Tower Hamlets
Mile End Road monitoring station
69 ug/m3
13. Greenwich
Woolwich Flyover monitoring station
69 ug/m3
14. Barnet
Tally Ho monitoring station
66 ug/m3
15. Islington
Holloway Road monitoring station
66 ug/m3
16. Tower Hamlets
Blackwall monitoring station
63 ug/m3
17. Hackney
Old Street monitoring station
62 ug/m3
18. Hounslow
Brentford monitoring station
62 ug/m3
19. Lewisham
New Cross monitoring station
61 ug/m3
20. Lambeth
Christchurch Road monitoring station
60 ug/m3
[4] Six worst sites for PM10 particulate matter, all exceeding current standard of 40 ug/m3
Average levels of PM10 recorded so far in 2008
1. Lambeth
Vauxhall Cross monitoring station
61 ug/m3
2. Greenwich
Woolwich Flyover monitoring station
54 ug/m3
3. Bexley
Erith monitoring station
49 ug/m3
4. Brent
Neasden Lane monitoring station
48 ug/m3
5. Westminster
Marylebone Road / Baker Street monitoring site
47 ug/m3
6. Hounslow
Brentford monitoring station
41 ug/m3
Click here for further details about the sites
News type: Press Releases
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