Theresa May: toxic air pollution is fourth biggest health risk behind cancer, obesity and heart disease

Health risk: pollution hangs over London
Jeremy Selwyn

The full scale of Britain’s toxic air crisis and its impact on young children has been laid bare by Theresa May.

The Prime Minister stressed that air pollution is the fourth biggest public health risk in the country - with only cancer, obesity and cardiovascular disease more severe.

She highlighted that the very young are among those particularly affected by filthy air.

Scientists say children’s lung growth is being stunted by toxic pollution which is causing other health problems such as asthma.

Mrs May blamed diesel vehicles as a major source of dirty air blighting the streets of London and other cities.

She made her comments in reply to a letter signed by more than 220 doctors, including at least 100 from the capital, warning that time is “running out” to tackle the nation’s toxic air scandal.

London Pollution - In pictures

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Emphasising the Government’s determination to tackle the problem, the Prime Minister said: “Poor air quality is the fourth largest risk to public health, behind only cancer, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

“It disproportionately affects some of the most vulnerable in our society, including the elderly, people with lung and heart conditions, and the very young.”

The doctors are urging the Prime Minister to start phasing out diesel vehicles as soon as possible as toxic air is estimated to cause a death toll in London of more than 9,000-a-year.

Replying to Professor Jonathan Grigg, Professor of Paediatric Respiratory and Environmental Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, the Prime Minister added: “I agree with you that one of the main reasons our cities continue to face pollution problems is the significant levels of NOx (nitrogen oxides) emissions that diesel vehicles produce."

“Harmful emissions from transport contribute significantly to the air quality challenge we face.”

Mrs May explained that the Government has been acting to cut toxic transport fumes including an EU-wide agreement for stricter tests to make vehicle manufacturers “live up to their low emission promises”.

Ministers had committed more than £2 billion since 2011 to encourage motorists to buy ultra-low emission vehicles and support greener transport schemes.

Clean air zones are being set up and Chancellor Philip Hammond last year allocated £290 million more for electric vehicles, low emission buses and taxis, and alternative fuels.

Theresa May said toxic air disproportionately affects the most vulnerable in our society
EPA

The Government, though, has been forced twice by judges to go back to the drawing board to improve its plans to reduce nitrogen dioxide levels.

Its latest Air Quality Plan is due to be published within the next fortnight and the Government is under intense legal and political pressure to act decisively now.

However there has been a backlash from some MPs and motoring groups against new levies in London and other cities targeted at diesel vehicles to clean up the nation’s air.

Mrs May has signalled that she will strengthen anti-pollution measures but does not want to unfairly penalise motorists who were encouraged to buy diesel cars from the early 2000s as part of moves to address global warming.

Professor Grigg, though, urged the Prime Minister not to “water down” the Government’s latest plans following the backlash.

He said: “Until we see a national commitment to remove the current fleet of high polluting diesel vehicles from towns and cities it will be very difficult for local authorities to effectively tackle the source of the problem.

“In the meantime, children will continue to be exposed to illegal levels of pollutants that are known to stunt lung growth and cause asthma.”

Scientists say many people are having their lives shortened slightly due to air pollution, with the amount of lost life in London equivalent to more than 9,000 deaths a year. (pls keep in this paragraph)

Mayor Sadiq Khan is introducing a £10-a-day “T-charge” for the most polluting vehicles to drive into central London from October, and the Ultra Low Emission Zone in the city centre in April 2019.

Tamzen Isacsson, director of communications at the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, said the industry was investing billions to engineer the cleanest vehicles in history.

“The latest Euro 6 diesel cars are light years away from their older counterparts, emitting drastically reduced NOx and virtually zero soot particulates,” she added.

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