A shocking new report has revealed that the concentration of airborne particles in some Tube stations is up to 30 times higher than busy roads.
Tube dust forms only one piece in a toxic mosaic of air pollution hazards across the capital – some exceeding legal limits but all combining to create a major health challenge.
Particulates come from a variety of sources, some of them unexpected. Even zero-emission cars contribute through tyre wear. Wood burners, barbecues, dust from construction sites – even dust from the Sahara - all contribute to a foul airborne stew that impacts heavily on Londoners’ wellbeing.
The London Assembly Environment Committee will tomorrow examine air pollution in London, with a focus on toxic airborne particles, and discuss the Mayor’s work to reduce pollution, including the Ultra Low Emission Zone.
The following guests will attend:
- Elliot Treharne, Head of Air Quality, GLA
- Stephen Inch, Senior Policy and Programme Officer (Air Quality), GLA
- Professor Martin Williams, Professor in Air Quality Research, King’s College London
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 16 December at 10.00am in Committee Room 5, at City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1).
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed via webcast or on our YouTube channel.
Follow us @LondonAssembly and tweet about the meeting using #AssemblyEnvironment and #AirPollution
Notes to editors
- COMEAP statement on health effects from particulate matter on the Underground.
- The Government’s Clear Air Strategy 2019 was published on Monday.
- Read the agenda papers.
- Caroline Russell AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the London Assembly Environment Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Giles Broadbent on 020 7983 4067. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.