Survey of MPs finds ignorance of Air Pollution

• population-weighted annual mean concentrations of total PM 2.5 for local areas, regions and England as whole compared to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline;
• the percentage of total deaths attributable to long-term exposure to human-made PM 2.5 in each area;
• the pro rata calendar year-to-date number of deaths attributable to long-term exposure to human made PM 2.5 and time to the next such attributable death for every local area and region in England;
• ‘Add’ button allows Users to add local areas or regions and ‘Edit’ button allows Users to move or delete local areas or regions. The location capability on the App allows Users to choose from up to four nearby locations or select another area by typing its name;
• Users can also see the CAL website and a detailed explanation of the App under ‘About’; and
• the App is free. Users are invited, as they add local areas or regions, to make at least one donation to CAL to support the further development of the App and other projects.

Total PM 2.5 is the sum of human-made (i.e. anthropogenic) and background (i.e. non-anthropogenic) mass concentrations of PM 2.5. The number of attributable deaths for an area depends on the attributable fraction and total number of deaths in that area which means a larger, less polluted local area may have more such deaths than a smaller, more polluted local area. The calculations are based on Government dataor calculated by CAL using its understanding of the methodology recommended by the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution. Policy Exchangehas estimated diesel vehicles were responsible for 91% of PM 2.5 exhaust emissions in London in 2009.

CAL hopes to be able to create android, desktop and other versions of the App in future. For example, it would like to include estimates of short-term exposure to air pollution (e.g. smog alerts) and show the Clean Air In Cities IndexTMor Birkett IndexTMfor every postcode. CAL would also like to show trends over time, costs and the impact of air pollution on morbidity (e.g. asthma etc.), personal exposure and other pollutants and public health risks.

Quotes

Simon Birkett, Founder and Director of Clean Air in London, said:

“The vast majority of over 100 Members of Parliament (MPs) responding to our survey displayed a shocking level of ignorance about the health impact of air pollution. In particular, over two-thirds of Conservative MPs responding said air pollution (29,000 attributable deaths) has less impact than road traffic accidents (1,900 deaths).

“By using the latest technology, information obtained under access to environmental information laws and the revolutionary new Clean Air in Cities IndexTM(or Birkett IndexTM), ‘Clean Air in London’ (CAL) is able to give people an indication for the first time of the health impact of long-term term exposure to air pollution. CAL hopes this new and innovative App and index will become a talking point. As far as we know, this index is a world first.

“Clean Air in London considers it vital people are warned about the dangers of air pollution and given advice about protecting themselves and reducing pollution for themselves and others. People can use this new information to consider reducing day to day exposure to air pollution indoors and outdoors and they may wish to seek health advice from medical or health professionals if they are concerned about possible health impacts.

“Now, every politician, reporter, campaigner and member of the public can access the information to ask their leaders whether they understand air pollution is the biggest public health risk after smoking and what they are doing about it.”

ENDS

Notes

1. Clean Air in Cities IndexTM(or Birkett IndexTM) reports the health impact on the population from long term exposure to air pollution. Inparticlar, it illustrates Clean Air in London’s view of the potential health impact of long-term exposure to different annual mean concentrations of total PM 2.5. The Index starts at zero and increases in 10 bands of 2.0 µg/m3to 20 µg/m3in population-weighted exposure to total PM 2.5in a local area or region. The WHO guideline is 10 µg/m3for total PM 2.5but the WHO has found no safe level of human exposure to it down to 8 µg/m3or below. CAL has therefore chosen bands of LOW (zero to 6.0 µg/m3), MODERATE (6.1 µg/m3to 12.0 µg/m3), HIGH (12.1 µg/m3to 18.0 µg/m3) and VERY HIGH (18.1 µg/m3to 20.0 µg/m3). On this basis, the WHO guideline is at the top of the middle of the three sub-bands within the MODERATE band. The App does not estimate or display the number of actual deaths from air pollution or the risk for an individual.

2. The words Clean Air in LondonTM, Clean Air in Cities Index TM and Birkett Index TM along with their associated logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Clean Air in London, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, with company number 7413769.