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BRITAIN IS STILL CHOKING FOE Demands Drastic Transport White Paper Action
29 May 1998
New air pollution figures for the year to date, released today by Friends of the Earth, show that in some areas of Britain Government health standards are being broken as often as once a week [1]. The figures are released as the “Don't Choke Britain” campaign is launched [2]. FOE says that they show the urgent need for tough Government action in next month's Transport White Paper, to tackle car use.
During 1998, levels of particulates [3] have exceeded the Government's health standards on 30 days in Port Talbot, 21 days in Central London and 20 days in Glasgow. Ozone(summertime smog) levels [4] have been above health standards for 22 days in Thurrock.
Other areas with more than 10 days above health standards include Bradford, Bristol, Bury,Cardiff, Exeter, Harwell (Oxfordshire), Hillingdon, Kingston, Lullington Heath (Sussex),Plymouth, Redcar, Scunthorpe, Sibton (East Anglia), Stoke, Swansea and Yarner Wood(Devon). In most of these areas, the main source of pollution is road traffic [5].
Because of defects in monitoring methods, particulate problems could be even worse than Government figures show, according to a new study commissioned by the European Commission. The study showed levels of particulate pollution in some cities were much higher than previously believed: new readings taken in Birmingham showed levels of particulates 20-30% higher than Government estimates [6].
The Government has already accepted that traffic reduction will be needed in some areas to tackle pollution problems. The National Air Quality Strategy says that “policies ... to reduce the quantity or growth in road transport” will be needed in “particularly sensitive areas” .
Commenting, Tony Bosworth, Friends of the Earth's Air Pollution Campaigner, said:
“Voluntary initiatives like Don't Choke Britain are welcome, and help educate
people about the problems of the way we travel. But they are no substitute for tough Government action to tackle car use. Much of Britain is already choking.Between 12,000 and 24,000 premature deaths happen every year because of air pollution. This needless waste of life will continue until the Government acts.John Prescott must use next month's White Paper to announce more money for buses and bikes, tougher controls on car-based development and further cuts in road building.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
[1] The figures are taken from analysis by Friends of the Earth of data from Government air pollution monitoring sites
[2] The Don't Choke Britain campaign is launched today to raise awareness about traffic related congestion and pollution. Hundreds of local authorities and many other organisations are taking part in activities throughout June.
[3] Particulates are microscopically small particles, less than 100th of a millimetre across. They are emitted directly from road traffic, fuel burning, industrial emissions, soil and road dust and quarrying. Earlier this year, Government health experts estimated that particulates might be responsible for up to 8,500 premature deaths every year in the UK.
[4] Ozone - summertime smog - is created by the interaction of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in sunlight. It irritates the mucous membrane of the respiratory system, causing coughing, choking and impaired lung function and exacerbating asthma symptoms. Earlier this year, Government health experts estimated that ozone might be responsible for up to 12,500 premature deaths every year in the UK.
[5] Nationwide, road traffic is responsible for 25% of particulate emissions, 46% of nitrogen oxides and 29% of hydrocarbons. In towns and cities, however, the percentage can rise greatly. In London, for example, road traffic produces 77% of particulates, 75% of nitrogen oxides and 52% of hydrocarbons.
[6] Report from European Commission Joint Research Centre.
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
