More than 5% of deaths in the UK’s largest towns and cities are now linked to long term exposure to poor quality air, according to new research by think tank Centre for Cities.
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Over 60% of roads monitored in major urban conurbations across the country exceeded World Health Organisation guidelines for the particulate ‘PM2.5’ and, in 19 cities, every road monitored breached the limit.
However the UK Government does not currently adopt the WHO’s guidelines for PM2.5. “The deadly levels of polluted air we’re breathing are legal across most of the UK. This needs to change,” said Centre for Cities chief executive Andrew Carter.
“As a matter of urgency the Government should adopt WHO’s stricter guidelines around PM2.5 emissions. Failure to act now will lead to more deaths.”
The think tank added that its findings mean the rate of deaths linked to pollution is approximately 25 times the national rate of fatalities from road traffic accidents.
It recommends that the most polluted cities should introduce ultra low emission zones to charge drivers of the most environmentally damaging cars and vans to travel in central areas.
It also urged the Government to triple the size of its Clean Air Fund to £600M to help local authorities tackle pollution.
“Politicians often talk tough on addressing air pollution but we need to see more action,” added Andrew Carter. “Cities should be at the centre of the fight against toxic air and councils should take the steps needed, including charging people to drive in city centres.”
Further research published last week by the British Lung Foundation reveals that toxic air in the Liverpool City Region can be linked to 1000 deaths every year.
The research conducted by King’s College London found that all local authorities within the region have areas that either breach European Union limits for nitrogen dioxide or exceed the WHO’s guidelines for PM2.5, with road transport being the primary source.
British Lung Foundation policy and public affairs officer Zak Bond said: “Liverpool has some of the highest levels of lung disease and deprivation in the country. We need politicians to take fast action to remove the dirtiest vehicles from the most polluted roads through clean air zones.”
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