Guardian UK: London air pollution 'worst in Europe'

[marmar]

London air pollution 'worst in Europe'
Britain faces court cases and unlimited fines after dangerous levels of minute particles breach EU levels

John Vidal, Environment editor
guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 June 2010 15.26 BST


The City of London has been found to be one of the most polluted places in Europe after monitoring equipment recorded dangerous levels of minute particles for the 36th time this year. Under EU rules, Britain is allowed no more than 35 "bad air" days in the whole year, and now faces court cases and unlimited fines by Europe.

The breaching of the EU levels after just six months will embarrass the government, which was sent a final warning only three weeks ago from the European commission to improve air quality. Many other places in central London are close to the limit and can be expected to break the law within weeks.

The government has applied to Europe for a time extension until 2011 to comply with daily particulate pollution from traffic, but is not certain to be granted it because it has been flouting EU air quality laws since 2005 and is perceived by the environment commissioner Janez Potočnik to have done little to address the problem.

"Air pollution is bad for our health. It reduces human life expectancy by more than eight months on average and by more than two years in the most polluted cities and regions," he said. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/25/london-air-pollution-europe

[dipsydoodle]

1. Whoops

And that is despite daytime central zone charges for cars which reduced the traffic.

Maybe they'll need to stop panes flying over too by rerouitng the flight paths to Heathrow . :shrug: