Mayor Johnson publishes health study estimating 4,267 premature deaths

Mayor Johnson publishes health study with first official breakdown by ward across Greater London of his estimate of 4,267 premature deaths in 2008 attributable to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles

‘Clean Air in London’ estimate of up to 8,000 premature deaths also confirmed

Mayor  Johnson  has  published  his  health  study  into  the  impact  of  poor  air  quality  on Londoners. See:

http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Health_Study_%20Report.pdf

Quotes

Simon Birkett, Founder of the Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL), said:

“Mayor Johnson is to be congratulated for publishing (even belatedly) his health study with a breakdown for every ward across Greater London of his estimate of 4,267 premature deaths a year due partly to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles.  This report paints a shocking picture of the Olympic city.

“Recognising the importance of this new information, the Mayor has today delayed by three weeks the closing date for the consultation on his draft Air Quality Strategy (draft AQS) until 13 August.

“For the first time every person, ward councillor and politician across London can see average levels of fine airborne particles in their ward and the premature deaths linked to it.  The report also publishes a range of 756 to 7,965 with the ‘best’ estimate of 4,267 premature deaths.  It confirms CCAL’s estimate of up to 8,000 premature deaths in London due to long-term exposure to dangerous airborne particles.

“This report makes clear the worst air quality and greatest legal breaches occur in inner London and near our busiest roads.  For the first time though it shows that air pollution is a problem throughout London.  It may therefore come as a surprise to some in outer London who thought air pollution was not their problem.  I urge people to see what the health study shows for their local area.

“This report will  have major ramifications for  years to  come.    First, we  need a  major campaign to build public understanding of the health impact of poor air quality so people know how to protect themselves and reduce air pollution for everyone.  Second, we need a much more ambitious air quality strategy from the Mayor (with urgent bold measures including much cleaner taxis, buses and one or more additional inner low emission zones (like the 40 Germany had by the end of last year)).   Third the new Government must publish similar premature death estimates for the UK as a whole (in contrast to the failing or ‘cover- up’ by the previous Government, which steadfastly refused to do so), as demanded by Parliament’s Environmental Audit  Committee  in  March  this  year,  and  publish  redacted information hiding details around legal action from the European Commission about UK breaches of air quality laws every year since 2005.