Perfect Storm of Concerns About Air Pollution hits London in 2012

Average annual levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), are two to three times the legal limit and World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines near London's busiest roads and even at ‘background’ sites according to Clean Air (UK). NO2 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.

London's Mayor has estimated 4,267 deaths were attributable to long-term exposure to ‘invisible’ PM2.5 in London in 2008 which is similar to the 4,075 from short-term exposure to air pollution during the Great Smog of 1952. Only smoking causes more early deaths. Scientists are beginning to identify other serious health effects such as traffic-related air pollution being responsible for 15-30% of all new cases of asthma in children and of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults aged 65 and over. The latest scientific research, consistent with earlier studies, has produced preliminary results showing that the poorest in London are exposed to significantly higher NO2 concentrations than those with more income. The Mayor estimates that around 80% of PM2.5 emissions in London in 2008 came from road transport with diesel vehicles a particular problem.

The Government blames mainly Euro engine standards for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from diesel emissions, now classified by the WHO as carcinogenic to humans, for failing to reduce NO2 concentrations when no NO2 emission standards were set

Last month, the European Commission (Commission) rejected the UK’s application to delay compliance with one or both of the NO2 annual mean and hourly limit values in 12 of 24 zones from 1 January 2010 to 1 January 2015. The Commission’s decision noted the UK had not applied in September 2011 for a time extension for 16 further zones, for which compliance was expected by 2020 and in London’s case by 2025, despite the Commission initially considering it had done so. In response to a complaint from Clean Air in London (CAL), the Commission has asked the UK authorities to provide them with clarification on: the process by which the UK obtained a time extension until 2011 to comply with the PM10 daily limit value in London; the use of pollution suppressants near monitoring stations; and the situation with regard to air quality plans and programmes for NO2.

Other Government departments have failed to act on the dangers of air pollution. Defra, in particular, still refuses to issue a media release about air pollution unless one pollutant, ozone, is expected to be ‘High’ on its (small) monitoring network. The highly regarded Commission for Sustainable London 2012 listed ‘awareness raising in the event of any Games-time poor air quality episodes’ as one in nine important issues still to be resolved in time for the Games. It looks belatedly as if such preparations are now being made for visitors to the Games.