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BLAIR URGED: ACT NOW ON POVERTY AND POLLUTION. Call Follows New Research On Pollution/Inequality Link
26 April 1999
The UK is a signatory of the World Health Organisation's European Charter on Public Health which states that “the health of every individual, especially those in vulnerable and high-risk groups, must be protected. Special attention should be given to disadvantaged groups”. In 1998, Public Health Minister Tessa Jowell admitted that “more people suffer from poor health
in the most deprived areas due to a range of factors including ... pollution.”
FOE is calling for an 80% reduction in the amount of hazardous material released to air, water and land by 2005. FOE also wants a programme of comprehensive health studies around major sources of pollution. Mr Secrett's letter to Tony Blair concludes that the Prime Minister“should mandate both the Social Exclusion Unit and the Department of Health to tackle environmental issues with the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions and other Ministries, as a key element in reducing social inequality and improving environmental performance across Government”.
Commenting, FOE Executive Director Charles Secrett said:
“Our research shows for the first time ever in Britain that it is the poorest in our society who are hit hardest by industrial pollution. These communities suffer the ill-health and misery that pollution brings. The issue should be a top priority for any Government that cares about social exclusion. Yet this Government has yet to put forward any plans to tackle pollution injustice. Our research shows once and for all that social exclusion and poverty cannot be properly tackled unless the environment is put right at the top of the political agenda.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
[1] Data supplied to FOE by the independent consultancy Business Geographics and Kingswood Ltd.MapGuide software was kindly donated by Autodesk Ltd
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
