Air pollution ‘killed hundreds’ last year
HUNDREDS of people in Glasgow died last year due to the long-term effects of air pollution on their health, a new study has found.
Analysis by the Centre for Cities has found as many as 354 people were killed last year as a result of deadly toxins in the city environment.
It is estimated hundreds of deaths are a result of residents breathing in deadly PM2.5 toxins, which the centre says accounted for 3.4% of all lives lost in Glasgow in 2017.
Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air, including dust, ash and sea-spray.
Inhalation of tiny PM2.5 particles can negatively affect health and there is no safe threshold below which no adverse effects would be anticipated, which increases the age-specific mortality risk, particularly from cardiovascular causes.
While transport is a big contributor, the Centre for Cities has also highlighted fuel emissions from personal wood-burning stoves.
They also called for financial incentives to be put in place to help improve air quality.
The centre’s Andrew Carter said: “Politicians often talk tough on addressing air pollution but we need to see more action.
“People in Scotland should be at the centre of the fight against its toxic air and councils should take the steps needed, including charging people to drive in city centres and banning wood-burning stoves.
“To help, the government needs to provide Scottish councils with extra money and introduce stricter guidelines. Failure to act now will lead to more deaths in Scotland.”
The Scottish Government has now been told it should introduce low emissions zones in cities, charging car and van drivers, as well as banning wood-burning and coal stoves in high-pollution areas.
The government has said it considering the use of stoves part of an air quality review.
A spokesperson added: “We are improving air quality across the country and have seen significant reductions in pollution emissions over recent decades through tighter industrial regulation, improved fuel quality, cleaner vehicles and an increased focus on sustainable transport.
“Compared to the rest of the UK and other parts of Europe, Scotland enjoys a high level of air quality and we have set more stringent air quality targets. Low Emission is as
Zones will help further improve air quality in towns and cities by preventing access by the dirtiest vehicles.
“We made more than £18 million available in 2019-20 to support local authorities and fleet operators with the financial costs of establishing and preparing for LEZs.
“We are also working to tackle poorer air quality in some parts of Scotland and have made £2.5m of funding available annually to local authorities in order to support action plan development and implementation.”