Air pollution in some parts of London is three times higher than European-recommended safe limits, research reveals today.
Scientists at King’s College London monitored 100 sites around the capital last year, measuring levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is caused by traffic fumes and has been linked to increased risk of asthma in children.
They also tested the sites for levels of PM10 — airborne particles from several sources of pollution — which is linked to breathing and heart problems.
The worst pollution was in Putney and Brixton, at three times the EU limit. The team found that most sites near busy roads exceeded EU safe limits, and even some more quiet locations recorded dangerous levels. Up to 4,000 deaths in London every year are blamed on poor air quality.
After the figures were released to the London Assembly, Murad Qureshi, chairman of the Assembly’s health and environment committee, warned that the relevant authorities were struggling to deal with the crisis.
“The capital has a long way to go before it meets the limits devised to protect people. We heard about a raft of measures designed to tackle pollution but we need to see results now,” he said.
A further report on efforts by the Mayor’s office to reduce pollution levels is due to be published this year.
