Hounslow Air Pollution Breaches EU Limits

Daniel Goldsmith Green candidate for London Assembly

The Green Party has announced that Chiswick campaigner Daniel Goldsmith will be the party's London Assembly candidate for the South West constituency, following a protest on the High Road over what they called the "shockingly" low air quality in the area.

About a dozen Green Party members from Hounslow and Richmond joined Mr. Goldsmith, and Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones on Thursday (November 10th) outside one of the monitoring stations which have shown that the air quality in South West London is worse than EU legal limits and World Health Organisation guidelines.

Goldsmith said: “Pollution kills and the communities of Hounslow, Richmond and Kingston need prompt action from the Mayor and the Council to address this problem.”

EU limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) have been breached at several places in Hounslow and Richmond. The pollutant, which results from road transport, power stations and industry, can lead to reduced lung function, increase asthma in children and contribute to early death.

In addition, levels of small particles (PM10s), which cause cancer, heart and lung diseases and lead to premature death, have been found to be above World Health Organisation limits across the two boroughs.
PM10s cause serious problems since they are small enough to get deep into the lungs, where they cause heart and lung diseases.

The demonstration follows news that if air quality does not improve, Britain could be fined £175 million by the International Olympic Committee.

“Unless we admit there is a problem we are not likely to solve it. More must be done to advise local residents, including boards outside each monitoring unit displaying the latest readings.”

“Air pollution is one of the many local issues that led me to get involved with my local Green Party and eventually to stand for the Assembly elections. As a Green candidate, the focus of my campaign will be highlighting issues that affect local residents and businesses and holding both local authorities and the Mayor to account.” said Mr. Goldsmith, who is an IT project manager .

Jones said: “Daniel is an experienced campaigner who puts the communities of the area first. He is an asset to our party and to London and is the ideal representative for the constituency of South West London on the London Assembly.”

Information including the latest data on Air Quality can be found at the London Air Quality Network at www.londonair.org.uk/LondonAir/Default.aspx.

Air Quality Monitoring Units show that EU limits for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) are being breached at Brentford, Chiswick, Heston Road and the Lower Mortlake Road. For example, as at 13 October, 2011, in Chiswick the Annual Mean for NO2 pollution was 56 µg/m3, which is more than the EU legal limit and WHO guideline of 40 µg/m3.

November 16, 2011