Two million Londoners exposed to toxic air: mayor Khan

Two million Londoners, including 400,000 children, are living in areas with toxic air, Mayor Sadiq Khan said in a report Monday.

New data published by the mayor's office says the two million are living in areas that exceed legal limits for air pollution.

Updates to the London Atmospheric Emission Inventory (LAEI), which analyses air quality in the British capital, showed that between 2013 and 2016 there were no significant improvements in harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations in London's air, with the situation in certain areas of London actually getting worse.

The new figures come with just one week ahead of the introduction of the world-leading Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in central London, which will see non-compliant vehicles charged a fee to enter the zone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A recent study by King's College London (KCL) looking at the overall rate of improvement in NO2 levels across London found that, compared with legal pollution limits, if the trend of inaction seen between 2010 and 2016 continued it would take 193 years to reach legal compliance.

Further work undertaken for City Hall by KCL suggests far-reaching policies outlined by Khan would reduce this to just six years, meaning London's air would be within legal pollution limits by 2025.

Mayor Khan said: "I have been crystal clear that I would do everything in my power to tackle London's toxic air crisis. This includes cleaning up our bus and taxi fleet and establishing the largest air quality monitoring network of any major city.

"The introduction of the world's first 24-hour seven-day-a-week Ultra Low Emission Zone next week marks a watershed moment in our fight to clean up our filthy air. The data I've published today gives an even clearer picture of the urgent need to take action."

Professor of Environmental Health Frank Kelly of KCL said: "London needs effective measures to improve air quality to an acceptable level at which it is not having a negative influence on children's health.

"The ULEZ is a world-leading initiative that has been designed to have the positive impact that our capital deserves."

Dr Penny Woods, CEO of the British Lung Foundation, said: "Air pollution can seriously impact all our health, especially children, the elderly and those with existing lung and heart conditions. There is new evidence almost weekly on the harmful effects of toxic air, so it's good to see these strong initiatives."