Third runway would put health at risk

I AGREE with Phil Rumsey’s letter ‘A third runway will worsen pollution’ (Letters, October 1).

The Heathrow area has high levels of pollution and consistently breaches EU safety regulations on air quality. This will increase if Heathrow expands further, and there will also be more traffic.

Frank Kelly, professor of environmental health at King’s College London, said that air pollution is a major health hazard in Britain. Pollution particles smaller than 10 micrometres can enter the lungs. The tiny ones of 2.5 can pass into the bloodstream and damage blood vessels, contributing to cardiovascular disease.

A British Heart Foundation study at Edinburgh University showed air pollution leads to more heart attacks and heart failure. Pollution can worsen asthma, emphysema and bronchitis.

The WHO’s International Agency of Cancer Research stated that air pollution is a carcinogen, and a study led by Ole Raaschou-Neilson from the Danish Cancer Research Centre found that for every increase of five micrograms per cubic metre of ‘PM 2.5 pollution’ the lung cancer risk rose by 18 per cent.

Air pollution has also been linked to a rise in birth defects. Research by scientist Dr Dick Van Steenis showed that areas with the highest pollution have four times the level of autism than the least polluted areas.

Why do the authorities not seem to care that the Heathrow area breaks air quality standards? the council has dealt with changing the whole area to be permit-only parking.

I have never been informed about this change via email or letter, and there were no road signs informing any of the residents.

I was coming back from work recently and found my vehicle had been ticketed. As it was parked where I normally park, this made me really annoyed.

I have been living in this place for the past three years, have a residence card, pay my council tax and what I am getting in return? No communication for road changes but just a parking fine.

So now I am left with no place to park my vehicle in the area until the long process of applying for a permit is completed.

I am scared that the ticket inspector will give me another ticket. I am highly disappointed about this situation.

I believe this is unfair towards all the residents in the area.

If I [had been] informed about this change to parking permits I would have applied for it long time ago.