London leads by example on air pollution by discouraging private vehicles use, accelerating the shift to electric public transport, and investing in active transport.

 

Dr Ain Satar, a Paediatrics and Neonatology Doctor, waits outside University College London Hospital. Located next to a major and often significantly polluted road, concerns have been raised about the impact of air pollution on patient health.

In January 2017, just five days into the new year, several London roads breached their annual air pollution limits, while in 2016 the annual mean limit for NO2 pollution was broken at 59 out of 97 London sites. Particulate matter (PM), which can harm our heart and lungs, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), known to affect lung function and breathing, are the two most concerning pollutants in London, where air pollution is estimated to shorten lives by 140,743 years – the equivalent of up to 9,400 deaths a year in London alone.[1]

Improving London’s air quality is a priority for the Mayor, and road transport is the key driver to address. So far, the city has committed to doubling funding for air quality; to imposing an extra charge on the most polluting vehicles (so-called ‘T-charge); to implementing several Low Emission Bus Zones; to introducing an ‘Ultra Low Emission Zone’ (ULEZ) earlier than scheduled; and to spending £770m on cycling over the next five years.

However, this problem is not limited to London as 38 out of 43 UK areas have been reported to be in breach of nitrogen dioxide limits. It is critical that other UK cities implement ambitious strategies to tackle air pollution and enable people to cycle and walk as part of their daily routine. Addressing air pollution and unmasking UK cities is essential to protect public health not only from the immediate health risks linked to road transport, but also from the long-term threat climate changes poses to our health and our NHS.

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Beyond London: a menu of options for health professionals to engage with local policy-makers

As health professionals, we have a responsibility to protect our patients’ health from all sources of ill health, including air pollution. We are at the forefront of healthcare and have a duty to speak out to raise awareness about the health risks of air pollution and advocate for targeted policy responses in UK towns and cities. We invite health professionals to indicate which areas you are most interested in – e.g. electric vehicles, public transport systems, cycling lanes, charging zones, car free streets and pedestrianisation of town centres – and whether you could organise small events with local policy-makers and authorities.

We are keen to start a conversation with local policy-makers to discuss opportunities to clean up our air.

Please send the completed questionnaire to [email protected].

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