LONDON ROADS TOP NITROGEN DIOXIDE POLLUTION LEVELS

12.01.00am GMT Wed 19th Jan 2005

Commenting on the findings by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists that found 14 of the top 25 hot spots for Nitrogen Dioxide pollution in the UK were in London, London Assembly Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson, Lynne Featherstone said:-

"High nitrogen dioxide levels can cause lung damage and increased respiratory infections in young children. Long-term exposure may lead to increases in asthma and may cause alterations in the lung.

"A mayor for Greater London must make sure that improvements in our quality of life happen across the whole of the capital and not just within the Zone 1. Mr Livingstone has given too much attention to reducing levels in the centre and has failed to tackle the pollution in the air outer London breathes."

ENDS

Notes to editor

· In 2004, the Liberal Democrats revealed that Nitrogen Dioxide levels in London had risen 15% between 2002 and 2003. Approximately 50% of nitrogen dioxide emissions come from cars and 25% from power stations. In addition to causing acid rain and producing low-level ozone, they irritate the respiratory tract, impair lung function and have been linked to lung cancer. They particularly affect people with asthma.

· The Government's target under the Air Quality Strategy is that by 2005 the amount of nitrogen dioxide should be below 40ìg/m³ for the yearly average.

· Figures below have been taken from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists

Location - Annual mean micrograms/m3 in 2004

London Marylebone Road - 108

London Cromwell Road - 80

Glasgow Kerbside - 70

Bury Roadside - 68

Oxford Centre - 67

London A3 Roadside - 66

Tower Hamlets Roadside - 60

London Bloomsbury - 58

Bath Roadside - 54

Bristol Old Market - 54

London Wandsworth - 53

London Southwark - 50

West London - 50

London Lewisham - 49

Glasgow City Chambers - 49

Brentford Roadside - 47

London Hackney - 47

Haringey Roadside - 46

London Bromley - 46

London Hillingdon - 45

Manchester Piccadilly - 44

London Westminster - 43

Cambridge Roadside - 41

Brighton Roadside - 41

Sheffield Tinsley - 41