Archived press release
Go to our press releases area for our current press releases.
"Don't hold your breath" FOE warns asthmatics
21 May 1996
Friends of the Earth today warned asthmatics to prepare for at least another ten years of misery from summertime smog [1]. The warning followed the statement made by John Gummer after a meeting with EU Environment Ministers addressing the problem of ozone pollution in North West Europe [2].
Roger Higman, Senior Air Pollution Campaigner, said:
"Mr Gummer has failed to deliver anything meaningful. The target date for eliminating summertime smog is too far off, and the measures proposed fall well short of what is needed [3]. It is ironic that the only thing to come out of a meeting aiming to tackle summertime air pollution is hot air"
ENDS
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1 Ozone (summertime smog) is formed 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. Other common symptoms include headaches, eye, nose and throat irritation and chest discomfort on deep breathing. The principal source of both nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons is road traffic.
2 The meeting set a target date of 2005 for eliminating summertime smog.
3 The German Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt) has said that cuts of 70% in emissions of both nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons will be needed to ensure that World Health Organisation guidelines for ozone are met.
Contact Roger Higman Senior Air Pollution Campaigner 020 7566 1661 Tony Bosworth Air Pollution Campaigner 020 7566 1662
If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Sep 2008
