Pavement Art States Shepherd's Bush Has Air Quality Problem
Stencils by Mums for Lungs say that pollution at illegal levels by the Green
Pavement stencils by Shepherd's Bush Green. Picture: Kate Hollis
A campaign group of concerned parents has placed stencils on the pavement by Shepherd’s Bush Green which states that pollution there is at illegal levels.
The Mums for Lungs campaigners have launched a pavement art campaign with signs saying ‘illegal air pollution recorded here’ and demanding action to ‘protect children’s lungs’ from Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2).
The stencils are located near 15 air quality monitors that recorded illegal levels of NO2 in 2020 – a pollutant that can cause reduced lung function in children, as well as trigger asthma attacks and hospital admissions for children living with lung conditions.
Mums for Lungs says that previous research shows that NO2 pollution is on average 24-31% higher in areas where people from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds are most likely to live.
It is hoped that the inclusion of Shepherd’s Bush in the Ultra Low Emission Zone from October may improve air quality but it is believed that even so legal limits may be exceeded.
Environmental Defense Fund Europe (EDF Europe) compiled readings from the city’s reference air pollution monitors and used modelled data, produced by Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants (CERC) for the Breathe London pilot project, to estimate that approximately two-thirds (67%) of the NO2 pollution at these locations came from diesel vehicles, such as cars, taxis, vans and heavy goods vehicles.
Jemima Hartshorn, a parent who lives in south London and is part of the Mums for Lungs group, said, “Even during the pandemic when London’s roads felt empty for months, it’s astounding to see that so many areas were still illegally polluted in 2020. We are grateful for the Ultra Low Emission Zone and the October expansion is critical to protecting kids’ health. But initial data from 2021 indicates many of these sites will continue to exceed legal limits, highlighting the inadequacy of existing plans to reduce pollution. We need firm proposals for a diesel-free city.”
Elizabeth Fonseca, Senior Air Quality Manager for Environmental Defense Fund Europe said: “London still fails to meet legal levels of NO2 air pollution, meaning children are continuing to grow up breathing toxic air. Data at these individual monitoring sites only provides a tiny part of the wider picture. Modelling clearly shows that many areas across London are continuing to exceed legal limits including those outside the bounds of the ULEZ expansion. Without further action, there is a great risk that some London communities will be left behind.”
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August 2, 2021