Reduce traffic to protect Londoners health – says Friends of the Earth following Mayor's toxic air report

Press release
Fewer vehicles – as well as cleaner vehicles – are needed to tackle air pollution.
  Published:  04 Oct 2017    |      1 minute read

Responding to new research from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, which shows that all Londoners are exposed to dangerous toxic air particles, Jenny Bates, Friends of the Earth air pollution campaigner, said:

“This shocking new data on the state of London’s dangerous air pollution must be a wakeup call to politicians and Londoners alike.

“Fine particles of air pollution can get deep into the lungs and the bloodstream and have even been declared to cause cancer by the World Health Organisation.

“It's a little known fact that a lot of pollution comes from tyre and brake pad wear as well as from vehicle exhausts. That's why we need fewer vehicles on the roads as well as cleaner vehicles to protect Londoners health.”

Friends of the Earth welcomed the London Mayor’s commitment to signing up to meet tougher standards on air pollution. The charity is calling for the Mayor to strengthen the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and bring it in sooner, and to abandon the proposed Silvertown Thames road crossing which would add to London’s air pollution problem.

ENDS