Nitrogen dioxide levels in Islington are up to 75% higher than EU limits according to new research conducted by the local Green Party and Mapping for Change.
The two organisations recently completed the measurement of NO2 levels along the A101, which runs along Highbury Grove, Highbury Park and Blackstock Rd.
Results at hotspots Highbury Barn and Finsbury Park were found to be up to 75% over safe EU levels, with figures never falling below 25% along the length of the road.
Worryingly, pollution levels at child height were found to be double those at the height of adults.
N02 and other forms of vehicle-related air pollution has recently been linked to higher rates of asthma in children and to cardio-vascular disease.
Full results from the tests were released at a public meeting at Highbury Grove School on Monday.
Green Party Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones joined the meeting’s chair and candidate for the North East constituency (which includes Islington) Caroline Allen along with Simon Birkett from the Clean Air London Campaign and Louise Francis of Mapping for Change.
Residents heard the results of the survey and discussed potential solutions to reduce vehicle emissions and mitigate their serious effects on our health.
Caroline Allen said: “The Council just isn’t taking this nearly as seriously as it should.
“Air pollution text alerts aren’t a lot of use to me, I live, work and shop in the borough, it’s my home. As an asthmatic am I just suppose to up and leave if it’s a bad air day? That’s just not realistic.
“This is a massive fairness issue, with those on low incomes disproportionately affected. I’m delighted to be chairing this meeting to give residents the chance to hear the real facts about this silent killer and help us come up with workable solutions’.
Jenny Jones said: “These results for Islington are particularly shocking but in reality this is a problem across our capital.
“With over 4,000 premature deaths a year being attributed to air pollution, there are few more pressing issues for our city. These deaths are needless, and with a more strategic and effective vision for transport in London we could both reduce mortality and massively increase quality of life for young and old.”
Green Party Assembly candidate and long-term pedestrian campaigner Caroline Russell said: “The Highbury study clarifies what many people instinctively know, that vehicle emissions are lethal, poisoning the air we breath and affecting our health.
“Reducing this danger has to be a priority for all of us and should inevitably involve a radical rethink about car-use in London.’
Notes
1. Louise Francis runs Mapping for Change, a social enterprise that exists to support the development of sustainable communities. She specialises in providing participatory mapping services to communities, voluntary sector organisations, local authorities and developers.
2. Simon Birkett founded the cross-party Campaign for Clean Air in London in 2006. Last year, the Ecologist profiled Simon as a Campaign Hero, the Guardian’s Environmental Editor, John Vidal, chose him as one of six people of the Year internationally. In February this year, the campaign won the City of London’s inaugural Sustainable City Award for outstanding contributions to improving air quality.
See how this was reported in the Islington Gazette and Islington Tribune
