Capital killer

STUDY REVEALS THAT TOXIC AIR IS MORE LIKELY TO KILL IN LONDON THAN IN THE NORTH

PEOPLE living in London are more likely to die from toxic air than if they lived in the North, a study has revealed.

The annual report of the UK’s major urban areas by Centre for Cities found that the proportion of deaths related to the deadly toxin PM2.5 is highest in cities and large towns in south England.

In cities including London, Luton and Slough, an estimated one in 16 people die from exposure.

Transport is a significant contributor to the pollution, but burning fuels is also a major cause in the south of England.

For example, half of the deadly PM2.5 toxins generated in cities and large towns come from sources such as wood-burning stoves and coal fire, with some of the toxins being blown in from continental Europe.

Andrew Carter, chief executive of Centre for Cities, said: “To help the Government needs to provide extra money and introduce stricter guidelines. The deadly levels of polluted air we’re breathing are legal across most of the UK. This needs to change.

“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.”

London also had the highest proportion of road where the NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide) levels were above the legal limit at 40 per cent, as well as the road with highest reading in the country at twice the legal limit. NO2 is a respiratory irritant that can cause inflammation of the airways which can lead to coughing, production of mucus and shortness of breath.

A study from 2018 by Public Health England estimated that attributable cases due to PM2.5 and NO2 exposure for Lambeth, an area with high exposure, were far higher than those for South Lakeland, Cumbria.

Public Health England also estimated that there could be around 2.5 million new cases of coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and other health conditions by 2035 if pollution levels remain the same.