Green Assembly Member Jenny Jones calls on Mayor Boris Johnson to act to protect Londoners and visitors as King’s College researchers find Oxford Street’s NO2 levels are highest in the world.
The King’s College analysis of Nitrogen Dioxide pollution, which is produced by diesel emissions from buses and taxis, has revealed on Oxford Street is the most polluted place in the world. Average levels of the toxic pollutant are currently three times the EU safety limit.
High concentrations of nitrogen dioxide can trigger asthma and heart attacks after even a short period of exposure, which is why the EU requires members states including the UK to ensure that NO2 remains at safe levels.
Greens in the London Assembly and in the European Parliament have consistently pushed for legal limits to be enforced by the swift introduction of a central London ‘Ultra Low Emission Zone’ by 2018 and by ensuring that all cars, taxis and vans in the city conform to “Euro 4” low pollution standards. During periods of high pollution, Greens have also called for the Mayor to issue “smog warnings” to help vulnerable Londoners protect their health.
Green London Assembly Member Jenny Jones commented on King’s College’s findings:
“The Mayor’s delays and dithering on combating air pollution in London means that not only more people will die prematurely or be seriously affected, but visitors and tourists could now be deterred from visiting Oxford Street.”