London becomes first world city to quantify the health effects of nitrogen dioxide

The London Assembly has released a new report announcing new figures which reveal the toll of air pollution on the lives of Londoners.

The report, produced by King's College London, quantifies for the first time the health and economic effects of the air pollutant nitrogen dioxide (NO2), as opposed to previous studies which have solely focused on particulate matter. The research puts the total premature deaths from air pollution in London at close to 9,500 per year and the number of early deaths from nitrogen dioxide at more than 5,000 per year.

Based on the information, Mayor Boris Johnson has renewed his call on the UK government and the EU to take urgent, increased action to improve air quality in London, as well as across the UK and the rest of Europe.

The report focuses on 2010, the most recent available ‘base’ year for the London Atmospheric Emission Inventory which provides our understanding of air quality in the city. Projections from 2008, 2012, 2015 and 2020 are also included based on the data from 2010. Therefore the report does not include the impact of the tightening Low Emission Zone standards, the delivery of more than 1,300 hybrid buses, nor the expected benefits of the Ultra Low Emission Zone in 2020.

Johnson said: “This is a snapshot of the true impact of air pollutants on our health. I’ve been criticised for cleaning up taxis, upgrading bus fleets and my plans for the world’s first Ultra-Low Emission Zone in 2020, but this study shows imperatively why these bold measures are required. I need the help and strong support of the government and the EU to effectively win London’s pollution battle and target the enormous amount of toxic air transported into our great capital internationally.”

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