UK Traffic Fumes Highest in Europe

EU's Greatest Car Polluters are a Toxic Threat for 2012 Olympics

Mar 5, 2009 Amanda Fortier

The UK's levels of nitrogen dioxide emissions are nearly 2.5 times higher than the EU limit. London has to clean up its air quality in time for the next Summer Olympics.

A report released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) indicates the UK may face strict fines by the European Commission for their poor air quality.

Presently, ninety-five percent of all British cities and regions exceed the EU's limit of 40 micrograms per cubic meter of nitrogen dioxide.

In London, levels of these toxic fumes have reached 97 micrograms. This is almost two times greater than Germany, the next worst air quality offender in Europe.

Health Effects

The harmful effects from traffic pollutants in the UK are posing serious health concerns. Premature death, asthma, allergies and stunted lung growth among children are all linked to the release of dangerous gas and particulate toxins.

Threat for Olympic Athletes

With the forthcoming Summer Olympic Games, concerns are rising that London must take urgent action. According to the Defra report if stringent improvements are not made by 2010, the greater London area will have 698 miles of roads that breach the air pollution limit.

For athletes competing in 2012, high levels of toxins can increase respiratory difficulties and compromise the body's immunity. Even over a short duration, the effects of poor air quality impact the amount of oxygen carried to the heart.

During strenuous exercise more air is brought in through the mouth rather than filtered through the nose. For endurance athletes or those spending excessive amounts of time outside, they will feel the impact of these high pollutants. It will bear negatively on performance as well as their health.

WHO Legislation Neglected

In 1999 the World Health Organization implemented legislation to reduce coarse particulate matter (PM10) by 2005 and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by 2010.

A pledge was in the works to restrict vehicles from entering 'low emission zones' in London. This past February Mayor Boris Johnson overruled these plans fearing it would impact small businesses in the city.

On the busiest roads in the capital, air pollution is now more than double the amount recommended by the WHO.

Campaigning for Cleaner Air

Clean Air in London (CCAL) has started a cross-party campaign to generate public and political support. They are asking Prime Minister Gordon Brown to back a 'green deal' that would offer incentives to vehicle owners and put more low emission zones in place.

Low Emissions Policy

Countries across Europe have been encouraged to introduce low emissions policies as a way to help curb the number of old petrol and diesel cars on the road.

Germany has 36 low emission zones in place, while the Netherlands has 18 and Italy has six. The UK only has one.

The copyright of the article UK Traffic Fumes Highest in Europe in British/UK Affairs is owned by Amanda Fortier. Permission to republish UK Traffic Fumes Highest in Europe in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Air Pollution

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Mar 5, 2009 7:05 AM

Guest :

Dear Amenda and all who are concerned about air quality:
The trouble is that guidelines on NO and Particulate Matter (PM) pollution mainly caused by Diesel-fuelled combustion engines are essentially ignored by government, local authorities and not really hitting the news with the general media either.
The problem is especially an issue alongside London's busy roads because of the high penetration of Diesel-powered vehicles inlcuding the well-known London Red Bus and Black Cabs.
Even though one cannot see the pollution because of the nature of mico- and nano-sized particles which have the ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and blood streams and can cause cancer and cardio-vascular diseases, one cannot simly pretend that it doesn't exist.
This is a very critical issue and the assumption of 5000 to 10,000 premature deaths in London alone every year does make Dirty Diesel - which is said to contain a toxic mix of over 30 cancer-causing radicals - would be an alarming news for the general public to present. Hence our Government prefers to keep it low-profile and remain in a wait-and-see position for the time being.
Actually it is easily possibly to do something about it:
First and foremost the retro-fitting vehicles with Particulate Matter filters.
Also restriction on the re-sale and higher taxation on older diesel-powered vehicles would help.
There are a large number of alternatives, less toxic fuels - consider bio-diesel, gas, electricity or even standard petrol as viable but much less harmful fuels.
We must act and spread the news now ! We depend on jobs in London along busy roads and must the right to breathe healthy air. As a developed country Britain should be able to make amendments to the current regulations and bring it in line with other European countries.
I hope that this article will gain more wide-spread attention and urge government officials to act to the threat.
Many thanks and kind regards,
Felix, Camden, London

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