Cars among biggest killers on the planet

What is causing more deaths worldwide than either Covid-19 or climate change impacts? Clue: it’s probably sitting outside your house as you read this letter.

Detailed research from the World Health Organisation shows that worldwide deaths from the inhalation of nitrogen dioxide (NOX) and particulates, in the UK mainly from vehicle exhausts, is killing one million people per annum.

More recent estimates run higher. As many as 8.7 million deaths every year are attributable just to the outdoor particulate matter produced from fossil fuels.

Other UK research has now found that higher emissions are accompanied by higher levels of dementia and mental illness. Our cars are one of the biggest sources of death and illness on the planet.

The WHO findings have led it to reduce the safe level of NOX that guides policy in the UK and BANES: down from 40 micrograms per cubic metre to 25 micrograms per cubic metre. In other words, the safe level is now 75% lower than that which BANES has been trying to achieve. Yet at present several roads in Bath’s clean air zone, including the A4 London Road, are not even below the previous, now unsafe, 40 micrograms level.

If we can spend billions on Covid vaccinations and precautions, and pledge similar for climate mitigations surely we can tackle the intensity of traffic that poisons the air we breathe? Well maybe, but don’t hold your wheezing breath.

Before the government will even consider acting on the new WHO limits it is first going to consult on what new measures should be. Even if better measures are agreed they would not be authorised before 2023, at the earliest, if we are lucky. How many more people will die or be incapacitated as a result of emission poisoning? On one estimate that will be 80,000 deaths across the UK, 116 in Bath by the end of 2023.

Residents and local government need to act now to save lives and improve mental and physical health. If the government will not act then it is up to local communities to do so.

BANES, perhaps in conjunction with the WECA mayor (who has more money) should mount local campaigns and find ways to discourage vehicle journeys, at least at peak times. Those of us who are drivers can act ourselves. Do we have to make that trip to the shops or for leisure by car?

If every little helps in the fight against global warming and Covid we must apply the same principle to air pollution. Hop on a bus, Gus. Go for a stroll, Moll. Get on your bike, Mike. And write to BANES and the WECA mayor urging action [ dan.norris@mayorofthewest. co.uk].for BANES contact details see the Transition Larkhall website: http://transitionlarkhall.uk/blog. Transition Larkhall: Annie Beardsley (Chair), Jane Shaw, Theresa Waterhouse, Bryn Jones, Kristina Mowat, Paul Raithby (members)