Friends of the Earth Scotland has issued a list of the most polluted streets in the country, some of which are in Edinburgh.
The environmental group analysed air pollution data by measuring two pollutants – Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter.
They report that Nicolson Street, St John’s Road, Salamander Street and Queensferry Road all break legal limits which should have been met eight years ago.
Gavin Thomson, Air Pollution Campaigner for Friends of the Earth Scotland said:“Edinburgh is top of the charts for toxic air pollution. Queensferry Road and Salamander Street are two of the worst for particulate matter, a form of air pollution with dreadful health impacts.
“The Council are soon to debate plans for a Low Emission Zone by 2020, and this data shows how much it is needed. We’re still waiting to hear what this will look like, and how much of the city will be covered. The public health consequences of air pollution means we need to act with real urgency.
“The City Centre Transformation plans from the Council presents a great opportunity to improve our city, clean the air, and protect the health of residents. By giving more people the freedom to walk and cycle safely, as well continuing to support good quality public transport we can end the stranglehold of cars on parts of our city.”
“Air pollution is responsible for over 2500 early deaths every year in Scotland. It has been linked with heart attacks, strokes, and cancers, and vulnerable groups such as the young and the elderly are at particular risk.
Dirtiest streets for Nitrogen Dioxide
The European Ambient Air Quality Directive set a limit for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) of 40 microgrammes per cubic metre, so these sites are all breaking the legal limit.
The deadline for compliance was 1 January 2010.
Street / NO2 Annual mean (µg/m3)
Edinburgh Queensferry Road / 50.54
Edinburgh Nicolson Street / 49.22
Edinburgh St John’s Road / 46.32
Dirtiest streets for particulate matter
The Scottish annual statutory standard for Particulate Matter (PM10) is 18 micrograms per cubic metre, so FOE Scotland say these sites are breaking the standard.
The deadline for compliance was 31st December 2010.
Street / PM10 Annual mean (µg/m3)
Edinburgh Queensferry Road / 24.15
Edinburgh Salamander St / 20.83
Chris Young (47), Edinburgh resident and a local campaign founder for Corstorphine Climate Action said : “In my area, many residents are deeply concerned about health impacts from air pollution around our main roads. Knowing the danger it poses to my family’s health, it’s clear we need serious joined up policy and action across the whole city to properly address urban air pollution
“I find it most frustrating that despite there being a considerable weight of evidence and legal limits reflecting the dangers of particulates and NO2 air pollution to public health, so little appears to be getting done to prevent it. Our government is literally enabling the poisoning of thousands of its citizens through poor pollution policies and control measures.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
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