'Perfect STORM' of Concerns About Air Pollution Hits London in 2012

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• Publié par: clean-air-in-london
• Nombre de lectures: 18
• Langue: English

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'Perfect STORM' of Concerns About Air

Pollution Hits London in 2012

PR Newswire

LONDON, July 11, 2012

LONDON

,

July 11, 2012

/PRNewswire/ --

"There is a 'perfect storm' of concerns about

London's

air pollution in the run

up to the Olympics" says Simon Birkett, Founder and Director, of Clean Air in

London

(CAL) (http://www.cleanairinlondon.org).

Annual mean levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO

2

), a toxic gas, are more than twice

the legal limit and World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline near

London

busiest roads. NO

2

levels in

London

were the highest of any capital city in

Europe

in 2010 and comparable with those in

Beijing

before it took action for

the 2008 Olympics.

Air pollution matters. The Mayor has estimated 4,267 deaths were attributable

to long-term exposure to 'invisible' airborne particles in

London

in 2008 which is

similar to the 4,075 from short-term exposure to air pollution during the Great

Smog of 1952 (when we knew nothing of long-term impacts). Only smoking

causes more early deaths.

Over a year ago, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) disclosed that

congestion from the Olympic Route Network would cause 'temporary and local

breaches' of air pollution laws. Traditionally these impacts have been mitigated

during Games-time by an 'odd and even' number plate ban, as in

Beijing

, or the

'Big Scare' which plays 'mind-games' with drivers. CAL has argued

unsuccessfully for one or more inner low emission zones to mitigate impacts.

Lord Coe wrote to CAL in

April 2008

setting out a bold and positive vision for air

quality during the Olympics. Birkett said: "Frankly, Lord Coe and the ODA have

done the best possible within their powers to deliver on this vision. But, so far,

Mayor Johnson has let down the organisers and Londoners by opting for

pollution suppressants to tackle traffic hotspots and the Big Scare backed by

hundreds or perhaps thousands of local traffic restrictions. Londoners and

visitors are likely to be infuriated by these restrictions."

Birkett said: "The Olympic organisers have made

London

ready for the world.

But the Mayor and the Government must play their part and then ensure a

wonderful legacy from the Olympics".

About Clean Air in

London

Clean Air in

London

(CAL) manages a cross-party campaign to achieve urgently

and sustainably full compliance with WHO guidelines for air quality throughout

London

(and elsewhere).