London Mayor Sadiq Khan strongly believes the government is not doing enough to reduce air pollution in the UK. This became evident after his response to the proposed new air pollution legal limits set by the government.
According to Mr. Khan, the new target is not significant enough to bring about positive changes in the fight against air pollution. The government had the opportunity to make a difference but they threw away the opportunity when they decided to enforce the new PM2.5 targets in 2040 yet in addition to setting targets that are two times higher than the current recommended maximum limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Instead of helping create solutions, the government jeopardised the health and future of another generation of children, according to Khan. Instead of enjoying a clean and safe environment, children will grow up suffering from a host of respiratory issues, like asthma, and other diseases.
During the government’s consultation on new PM2.5 targets for the Environment Act, they came up with a reduced level of 10 micrograms per cubic metre for fine particulate matter. This would take effect in 2040. The WHO has set their deadline of 2030, which is several years earlier than the UK government’s.
The Mayor of London was disappointed with the unambitious targets and expressed his belief that eight years should be enough time to enact the new legal limits. An 18-year waiting period is too much. He calls the government’s latest action a “delay” instead of a move toward the goal set to action by the passing of the Environment Act in 2021. Instead of providing solutions, the government increased children’s risk for asthma and lung issues, among other health problems.
Mr. Khan further believes the government is capable of setting the new targets to action earlier than 2040. He also said the targets are essential in the goal of protecting the city and its people from the effects of air pollution. He urged government leaders to reconsider the targets and keep the next generation of Londoners protected from toxic air.
Ella Roberta Family Foundation and BreatheLife Ambassador, Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, shared the sentiments of the mayor. The government should take action now so the next generation won’t have to spend 18 years of their life waiting for clean and safe air.
Nitrogen Oxide
Several factors contribute to the toxic air in London, but the most common (and controversial) pollutant is nitrogen oxide or NOx.
NOx is a gas that consists mainly of nitric oxide or NO and nitrogen dioxide or NO2. On its own, NO is relatively harmless but, once it combines and reacts with NO2, it forms nitrogen oxide, a gas that has deleterious effects on the environment and on human health.
When nitrogen oxide interacts with chemicals in the atmosphere such as oxygen and water, it produces acid rain. Acid rain can damage the ecosystem, including forests and trees.
NOx also produces nitrite particles, which are responsible for the hazy air that affects our visibility. It forms smog, a combination of smoke and fog, and which is blackish or yellowish in colour. It is made up of ground-level ozone and fine particles.
Exposure to NOx emissions can lead to numerous health issues, including:
- Irritation of the respiratory system airways
- Asthma/aggravated asthma
- Wheezing or coughing
- Difficulty in breathing/Shortness of breath
- Eye irritation
- Corroded teeth
- Headaches
- Dizziness that can last for two weeks after exposure
- Nausea
A person constantly exposed to high concentrations of nitrogen oxide may develop severe health issues, such as chronically reduced lung function, cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, susceptibility to serious respiratory problems, laryngospasm, asphyxiation, and early death.
In the UK, the primary contributors of nitrogen oxide are diesel vehicles.
Diesel Emissions
Diesel emissions have been in the spotlight in the UK and the whole of Europe in the past years because of the Dieselgate scandal that broke in 2015. The scandal involved German carmaker Volkswagen, though other car manufacturers, such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Renault.
The scandal saw VW being accused of installing defeat devices in their diesel vehicles. Defeat devices, also known as cheat devices, is equipment programmed to tone down emissions levels when a vehicle is being tested. Thus, it ensures the level of pollutants being emitted by the vehicle is within the limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
However, once the vehicle is driven in real-world road conditions, the levels of toxic gas emissions revert to default levels, which surpass the levels set by the European Union and the WHO by several magnitudes.
Therefore, vehicles with defeat devices are pollutants. They emit considerable amounts of nitrogen oxides. Car owners who purchased affected vehicles were lied to. Authorities and law firms encourage them to file a diesel emissions claim so they can get compensation for the inconvenience that the defeat devices have caused them.
Filing Your Emissions Claim
“How to file my diesel claim?” may be the recurring question in your mind right now, especially if you know how challenging and time-consuming the process can be. However, you don’t have to worry because all you need to do is hire a panel of emissions solicitors who are well-trained and experienced. The ones at ClaimExperts.co.uk have won many claims cases, so you’ll be in good hands. Get in touch with them now.