Brixton Road in London has exceeded its annual air pollution limit in just five days! Emissions of nitrogen dioxide must not be more than 200 micrograms per cubic metre more than 18 times in an entire year in accordance with Directive 2008/50/EC, on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, but this limit was broken only 5 days into 2017 in London. At one point, nitrogen dioxide levels were twice the legal limit.
It is said that 5,900 early deaths can be attributed to nitrogen dioxide. The gas has also recently caused several arguments about whether restrictions should be placed on diesel vehicles in cities, seeing as diesel engines contribute significantly to the presence of the gas in the air.
The breach of the levels in 2017 was faster than last year, where it took eight days for London to breach the levels, as recorded on Putney High Street. This news also comes at the same time as an announcement by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, that 10 new low emission bus zones will be created in the capital.
However, Caroline Russell, who represents the Green Party on the London Assembly, said the plans weren't enough. Ms Russell said: "Too many people have had their lives shortened, their asthma and other respiratory problems worsened and their quality of life reduced as a result of weak mayoral policies and government inaction."
The news has also attracted criticism from green campaigners. Jenny Bates, air pollution campaigner for Friends of the Earth, said: "With the new year only days old, it’s scandalous that air pollution limits for the entire year have already been breached." She added that the government should aim to phase out diesel by 2025.
