Pollution could cost 50m years

An estimated 50 million years of human life could be lost in the UK if action is not taken to reduce air pollution, scientists have said.

A study led by King’s College London suggests that by meeting targets set out by the Climate Change Act, nitrogen dioxide air pollution could be cut by 50 to 60 per cent, leading to improved public health and longer life expectancy.

The 2008 Act requires the UK to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80 per cent on 1990 levels by 2050.

The study found if this target was met in London, one of the major pollutants – nitrogen dioxide – could fall by more than 50 per cent by 2050.

There would also be significant cuts to levels of fine particulates.

London and other UK cities, including Leeds and Liverpool, are regularly breaching EU and World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality standards.