Pollution deaths

SIR – Could someone explain the widely quoted figure of 40,000 early deaths caused by vehicle pollution?

I found the 2016 government figures for death from respiratory causes in England and Wales. The total was 69,994, but there was no age group data and no way of finding out if 57 per cent of these deaths where premature – let alone caused by vehicle pollution.

Another explanation is that statistics have been manipulated to back up an argument, recalling the story of the drunk and the lamppost: he uses it for support, not illumination. Michael J Marks

Glascwm, Radnorshire