Air pollution causes more deaths in the City of London than anywhere else in England | My news from London

London is in the midst of a severe air quality crisis as new data reveals that the City of London suffers more deaths from air pollution than any other area in England. The stark figures have prompted campaigners to criticize the government for its slow response to dangerous levels of “fine particulate air pollution” and call for the UK to bring its air quality standards in line with international health recommendations.

As National Clean Air Day approaches on June 20, it’s a chance for the public to reach out to their local representatives and take action to improve air quality in their area. According to the Office for Health Improvement and Inequalities, in 2022 air pollution was linked to 8.3% of deaths among residents aged over 30 in the city of London, the top in England.

This figure was up from 7.2% the previous year, although it remains lower than the pre-pandemic figure of 9.4%. Imogen Martineau, head of the UK portfolio at the Clean Air Fund, expressed concern that the UK was “going in the wrong direction on tackling air pollution”.

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Meanwhile, the Government has set a target of halving the level of fine particles in the air, aiming for an average annual concentration of 10 micrograms per cubic meter by 2040, despite the World Health Organization recommending that this level not exceed five micrograms. per cubic meter.

Ms Martineau urged policymakers to align with WHO air quality guidelines, saying: “It’s time to recognize the co-benefits that clean air can bring to better health, climate action and improved economies.”

Environmental activists Friends of the Earth pointed out that air pollution has a disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, especially those in urban areas.

The data revealed a strong regional disparity in England, with 17 of the 18 areas suffering the highest air pollution death rates located in London. The remaining area was Watford, a commuter town in the East of England.

In 2022, air pollution was responsible for 7.1% of deaths for people aged 30 and over in London. In contrast, the 11 regions with the lowest percentage of air pollution-related deaths were all located in the Southwest, where air pollution accounted for 4.6 percent of deaths.

Larissa Lockwood, Clean Air Director at Global Action Plan, said: “The solutions to our air pollution problem already exist. The government needs to take urgent action to ensure that everyone in the UK can breathe cleaner air.”

Ms Lockwood suggested that providing greener travel alternatives and phasing out wood burning in urban areas could improve air quality. “No one should have their lives cut short because they don’t have access to clean air,” she added. Friends of the Earth also criticized the government for “not recognizing” the dangers of air pollution.

Climate, transport and air pollution campaigner Jenny Bates called on the Government to take immediate action. She said: “Government must act now by bringing particulate matter targets in line with WHO interim guidelines by 2030 and enshrining the right to clean air.”

In response, a government spokesman said: “We have made significant progress in improving air quality since 2010. We have achieved significant reductions in emissions, with fine particulate matter by 24% and nitrogen oxides by 48%. emission reduction targets for all five key pollutants in the last reporting year.”

Areas of London with the highest proportion of deaths from air pollution

1. City of London – 8.3 percent
2. Hackney – 7.8 per cent
3. Westminster – 7.8 per cent
4. Tower Hamlets – 7.8 per cent
5. Camden – 7.7 percent
6. Kensington and Chelsea – 7.6 per cent
7. Southwark – 7.6 per cent
8. Newham – 7.5 per cent
9. Hammersmith and Fulham – 7.4 per cent
10. Brent – 7.4 percent
11. Waltham Forest – 7.4 percent
12. Haringey – 7.4 per cent

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