Today we’ve jointly signed a letter calling for action on deadly air pollution particles. The letter has been published in The Times ahead of Clean Air Day on 17 June and calls on the government to adopt legally binding targets to meet World Health Organisation guidelines on air pollution.
We're calling on the government to adopt legally binding targets to meet World Health Organisation guidelines on air pollution.
We’re one of eight signatory organisations including:
- Living Streets
- British Heart Foundation
- Asthma UK
- British Lung Foundation
- Royal College of Physicians
- the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
- and ClientEarth.
The text of the letter is below, and if you're subscribed you can see the published version on The Times website.
The letter
Sir, The coroner for Inner South London recently concluded that air pollution contributed to the death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah.
A key recommendation in his report to prevent future deaths was for the government to adopt legally binding targets to meet the World Health Organisation guidelines for deadly air pollution particles called PM2.5.
The government’s deadline to respond to the coroner’s report is tomorrow, the same day that we mark Clean Air Day, the theme of which is protecting children’s health.
The government must not miss this opportunity. Poor air quality is the largest environmental health risk in the UK.
Up to 40,000 deaths are attributable to air pollution each year, and air pollution contributes to a range of long-term and life-threatening health problems including heart and lung diseases, stroke and cancer.
The government must introduce WHO guidelines for PM2.5 in the Environment Bill to improve air quality and the quality of life for millions of people, as well as saving lives in the years to come.
Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, mother of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, CEO, British Heart Foundation
Sarah Woolnough, CEO, Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation
Dr Andrew Goddard, president, Royal College of Physicians
Dr Phil James, CEO, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Xavier Brice, CEO, Sustrans
Stephen Edwards, interim CEO, Living Streets
James Thornton, CEO, ClientEarth.
