Third most polluted street

A Perth street has been named one of Scotland’s most polluted roads.

According to environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth Scotland, Perth’s Atholl Street is the third most polluted street in the whole country, topped only by Salamander Street and Queensferry Road in Edinburgh.

The group used Scottish Government data which measured ‘particulate matter’or PM10. The safe standard of PM10 is 18, however Atholl Street in the city centre is currently reading at 21 micrograms per cubic metre.

The whole of Perth is currently designated as a‘pollution zone’due to regular breaches of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter standards.

Emilia Hanna, air pollution campaigner for Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:“Once again, Perth’s Atholl Street has the shameful accolade of appearing on a list of Scotland’s worst polluted streets, with dangerous levels of toxic air pollution which are breaking standards.

“Air pollution from traffic fumes has a devastating impact on health, especially on children and people with existing health problems. Air pollution has been linked with heart attacks, strokes and cancers and can also inhibit children’s lung development.

“It is unacceptable to have continued levels of pollution on our streets that are harming our children’s prospects in life.”

Ms Hanna added:“Our society is far too car dependent. The Scottish Government and Perth and Kinross Council should work together to bring forward a low emission zone for the city, and should promote sustainable transport alternatives like walking, cycling and public transport.’’

The Scottish Government had set a deadline for all parts of the country to have a reading of 18 micrograms per cubic metre by the end of 2010.