‘Shameful’ level of pollution in the capital
THOUSANDS of people are dying every year because air pollution in London is so bad that it is now a “public health emergency”, according to Sadiq Khan.
The Mayor of London says “filthy, toxic air” is a “hidden killer” because – unlike the smog of the past – pollution in 2019 is “invisible”.
He also said the air was damaging children’s lungs – calling it “shameful”.
Around 9,000 London residents die every year because of air pollution, according to figures from Mr Khan’s office.
A cyclist taking precautions to protect themselves from air pollution in London
Mr Khan said the introduction of an ultra low emission zone in central London, which is due to take effect in April and replace the current T-charge - a £10 charge for older, more polluting vehicles - is part of an “ambitious plan” to tackle the problem.
The ultra low emission zone means most vehicles will need to meet tighter exhaust emission standards or pay a daily charge, and the zone will expand to include inner London from October 2021.
On Thursday Mr Khan told an audience of Government figures and business people: “The evidence is now incontrovertible, the harmful quality of London’s air has become a public health emergency.
“There’s no other way of framing it.
“Thousands of Londoners are dying prematurely in our city every single year as a direct consequence of our filthy, toxic air.
“Right now some children living and studying in pollution hotspots, which are often located in the poorest parts of our city, are growing up with underdeveloped and stunted lungs.
“This isn’t just unacceptable, it’s shameful.
“Unlike the smoky pollution of the past today’s pollution is invisi- ble and it’s a hidden killer.”
Air pollution is linked to the early deaths of about 40,000 people a year in the UK and causes problems such as heart and lung disease and asthma.
Around 9,000 Londoners die prematurely because of polluted air, according to the Mayor’s Office.
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Other measures introduced by Mr Khan include spending more than £300 million to retro-fit thousands of buses with technology to reduce harmful emissions.