Report highlights high road-pollution death rate in UK

The Commons Environmental Audit Committee reported that dangerous levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 or PM10) and chemicals (such as NO₂) in the air are contributing to tens of thousands of early deaths every year in UK cities.

According to a statement, an Environmental Audit Committee inquiry has also found that ministers appear to be trying to dilute safety standards to avoid EU fines.

Chair of the committee Joan Walley MP said: ‘It is a national scandal that thousands of people are still dying from air pollution in the UK in 2011 — and the government is taking no responsibility for this.

‘If you have heart disease, asthma or other respiratory illnesses, then living near a congested road like this can literally take years off your life.’

Around 30,000 deaths in the UK were reportedly linked to air pollution in 2008, with 4,000 in London alone.

Business plans produced by the Department for Transport and Defra reportedly fail to mention air quality, despite a commitment in the coalition agreement to work towards full compliance with EU air quality standards.