Government urged to act after UN expert warns UK air pollution threatens the human rights of children

Reacting to a warning by the UN special rapporteur on hazardous substances and wastes Baskut Tuncak that the UK’s appalling air pollution problem threatens the human rights of children, Friends of the Earth air pollution campaigner Oliver Hayes said:

“Mr Tuncak is correct – UK air pollution is a national disgrace, and ministers must do far more to protect the health of our children and other vulnerable people.

“It’s essential that current EU legal protections are safeguarded in UK law post-Brexit - and crucial that these air quality rules are far more rigorously enforced.

“With road traffic the biggest problem and diesels worst of all the government must set out plans to phase out diesel within a 21st Century Clean Air Act and instigate many more Clean Air Zones around the country.”

ENDS

For more information contact the Friends of the Earth press office at [email protected] or 020 7566 1649/07718 394786 (out of hours – please don’t text this number).

Notes to editors:

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.