Caroline Russell, long-time road safety campaigner and Green Party candidate
for the forthcoming Islington Council by-election, was joined by Mayoral
candidate Jenny Jones and parents and children from local schools after a
local study revealed that nitrogen dioxide levels exceeded national and
European target limits in half the measuring stations across the borough.
In addition, levels were twice as bad at child-height across Islington than
at the 2.5 metre height most commonly published.
At the protest on Highbury Corner, one of the busiest and most polluted
places in the borough, children carried placards saying ‘It’s even worse
down here’ and wore facemasks to protect them from inhaling NO2.
Jones said: “These figures are bad news for giants, but even worse news for
the borough’s children.
“Measuring air pollution above the height of the world’s tallest ever man
are of course not the first time that City Hall has tried to cheat on air
pollution targets, but not even this technique could bring figures down to
acceptable levels, and the figures for 1.5 metres and lower are even more
shocking.
“We know NO2 leads to more asthma, lung and heart disease and even premature
death. City Hall must urgently do more to bring levels of air pollution
down.”
Russell said: “The figures at child height in particular are terrifying. As
well as commissioning further studies, our representatives in the council
must look at ways they can work with the Mayor to reduce air pollution
locally, and all of us in London must consider what we can change to avoid
exposing children to such high levels of NO2.
“My campaign for election in St Mary’s Ward is focused on addressing real
issues that affect residents and businesses, and I believe the risks posed
to the health of local children by avoidably high air pollution levels is
among the most pressing local concerns.”
