Action call over increasing air pollution levels
Air pollution could rise significantly as coronavirus restrictions end, a think tank warned.
A report by the Centre for Cities has called on cities to revamp stalled plans to tackle the problem after levels of toxic fumes fell dramatically in many places as the country went into full lockdown.
Analysis shows that concentrations of air pollution h ave r i s e n a ga i n ove r th e summer to pre-pandemic levels or higher – even though most of the country remains under restrictions – sparking fears that pollution could climb even higher.
It is calling for councils which shelved pollution reduc t i o n p l a n s i n th e f ac e of the pandemic, to revisit them. Pollution, such as nitrogen dioxide from traffic, is linked to 40,000 deaths a year in the UK, and research has suggested that 15% of Covid-19 deaths can be attributed to toxic air.
Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide fell on average by 38% in cities and large towns as a result of lockdown.
In four-fifths of cities and larger towns pollution levels were back to at least pre-lockdown levels by September, despite economic activity not having fully recovered by then.
Centre for Cities' chief executive Andrew Carter said: "Toxic air has contributed to the deaths of thousands of Covid-19 victims this year and, even after the pandemic ends, will remain a big threat to health - particularly for those living in urban areas.
"Discouraging car usage will be unpopular in the short term but, if coupled with the necessary improvements to public transport, the longterm benefits to public health and the economy will be huge and our cities will become better places to live."