The European Commission has this week taken action against the UK for exceeding emissions limits for particulate matter (PM10), fine particles which can increase the number and severity of asthma attacks, cause lung diseases and reduce the body’s ability to fight infections.
The Commission has written to the UK Government asking them to provide evidence of the measures they are taking to reduce or eliminate the exceedances. Meanwhile, discussions are underway in Europe to add more stringent targets on particulate emissions to European law, which will only add to the pressure on the UK to clean up its act. New limits for nitrogen dioxide emissions will also come into force in 2010 and current figures indicate that the UK will miss its proposed target.
Responding to the news that the European Commission is to take action against the UK, Jean Lambert Green MEP for London, said:
“I welcome the news that the European Commission is taking action over this breach of air quality rules. Road traffic is a major contributor to emissions of particulate matter, which can be extremely harmful to the lungs, and cause severe problems for those already suffering breathing difficulties.”
“As well as reducing the emissions from heavily-polluting vehicles the Government must take more steps to reduce the overall amount of traffic, especially in our cities where higher levels of pollution already exist. Local authorities must reduce road building and increase investment in public transport, cycling and walking.”
Air pollution is estimated to reduce life expectancy in the UK by an average of eight months.