‘Emergency’ smog warning
Mayor says he will keep Londoners informed about pollution levels
HEAVY air pollution alerts were issued for west London last week as London Mayor Sadiq Khan warned commuters of the spike.
Residents with breathing difficulties were warned to stay indoors as much as possible from Wednesday and over the next few days.
Westminster , Hammersmith and Fulham , City of London and Kensington and Chelsea boroughs were warned that levels were expected to shoot up for at least three days.
The warning was expected to recorded as ‘moderate’ on the scale for most, with Westminster labelled as ‘high’.
Mayor Khan said: “London’s dirty air is a public health emergency.
“We will continue to use all the technology at our disposal to inform Londoners about levels of air pollution in their neighbourhoods.”
London’s annual legal limit for air pollution has been reached already in the first month.
Andrew Proctor, director of advice and support at Asthma UK, said: “Two thirds of people with asthma tell us that poor air quality makes their asthma worse, which puts them at a higher risk of an asthma attack.
“This practical way of getting information across could prevent a bad day for people with asthma and be a lifesaver for the 600,000 people living with asthma in London.”
Advice from the Department of Environment has instructed people with breathing conditions to stay indoors as much as possible over the days of higher pollution. Older people are advised to avoid exertion.