A Green Party peer has accused the Government of ‘criminal neglect’ after it emerged a 10-day period of poor air pollution in 2014 led to 300 extra deaths.
In a Commons written answer, health minister Lord O'Shaughnessy said an estimated 600 deaths across the UK were associated with particulate (PM2.5) air pollution over 10 days of high and very high air pollution in March and April.
This compares to typical levels of 300 deaths linked to PM2.5 pollution for such a period.
The Times reported that during the episode the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) issued tweets referring to official advice, which is that even healthy people should reduce physical exertion during very high air pollution.
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb, the Green Party peer who obtained the information, said this was inadequate.
She told the Times: ‘It is staggering that an extra 30 people a day can die during an air pollution episode, but this Government thinks that an anodyne tweet to 5,000 followers is sufficient response. It is criminal neglect by a Government that has no desire to protect the health of its citizens and it seems that its sole aim is to downplay the whole thing.’
DEFRA said it takes its responsibility for informing members of the public about air pollution events very seriously and works with health charities to make sure vulnerable people are aware of any periods of low air quality.
Although ministers linked the episode to dust from the Sahara, the Times said the primary causes were fertiliser from farms on the Continent and pollution from traffic and industry in Britain.
Greenpeace campaigner Anna Jones called for tougher action on air pollution from diesel vehicles. She told the Times: ‘There’s no room left for doubt or inaction on air pollution. This is a crisis. We know most new diesel cars are pumping out illegal levels of pollution, yet, unbelievably, the government is still incentivising consumers to buy them.’
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
