Air Pollution Linked To Thousands Of Deaths

The worst areas for air pollution are revealed for the first time, as figures show a link to more than 28,000 deaths in one year.

Estimates of the number of deaths that can be attributed to long-term exposure to particle air pollution over many years have been produced for councils across the UK by Public Health England .

The two local authorities that have the highest numbers of deaths attributed to poor air quality are Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster where 8.3% of deaths of those aged over 25 are caused in part by air pollution.

Rates vary across the UK.

In some rural areas of Scotland and Northern Ireland the rate is 2.5%, which rises to 3 and 5% in Wales and higher still in London and parts of the South East.

Air quality has improved "considerably" in recent decades thanks to cleaner new technology and stricter environmental laws, but pollution still has a "significant impact" on life expectancy, the PHE report finds.

Dr Paul Cosford, PHE’s Director of Health Protection and Medical Director, said: "Policies that encourage a shift from motorised transport to walking and cycling would be expected to reduce total vehicle emissions, including particulate pollution.

"If this could be achieved in towns and cities, then we could expect local improvements in air quality.

"There would also be health benefits from increased physical activity through walking and cycling."

The figures were calculated by modelling annual average concentrations of man-made particles and their impacts on health.

The report follows on from high levels of air pollution across the country last week that led to a surge in 999 calls.

The poor air quality was caused by dust from the Sahara Desert whipped up by a large storm in North Africa.