NEWS RELEASE
From the Office of Jean Lambert MEP
London's Green Party Member of the European Parliament
2 June 2009
FIRST SUMMER SMOG WARNING AS TEMPERATURE RISES
- London Green MEP urges Mayor to cut air pollution to protect health
Jean Lambert, London's Green Party MEP, has expressed concern over the health implications, particularly for children and those with existing breathing problems, of the first predicted summer smogs.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) issued the warning yesterday that the current hot weather is likely to lead to the first summer smog episode of the year. Moderate ozone levels have been recorded across the UK, but weather conditions suggest ozone concentrations will reach high pollution levels. [1]
Jean has worked extensively to raise awareness of the air pollution crisis London faces, and has challenged the Government over its failure to act on this issue. [2] Today, she said:
"While the warning from Defra alerts us to smogs in rural areas, we must remember that air pollution in London is already at dangerously high levels.
"It's been great to see Londoners out enjoying the sunshine over the past few days, and we'd all love to see a long hot summer. But we must be alert to the health implications. The levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide in London have been far exceeding EU limits specifically designed to protect human health for years.
"Only a fortnight ago new figures based on EU research revealed that 4,400 Londoners die every year as a result of the terrible air quality in this city - that's more than four times previous estimates from the Mayor of London. [3] Smog should be a thing of the past: I hope Defra's warning proves stark enough for the Government to take decisive action on this issue at last."
Defra is urging the public to take measures which can help to reduce pollution and Jean is calling on the Mayor to do the same:
"I hope this warning will encourage the Mayor to heed Green calls for serious investment in infrastructure across the capital to increase walking and cycling and reduce traffic and harmful emissions."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Jean Lambert is one of nine MEPs representing London and one of two UK Green representatives in the European Parliament. In October 2005 Jean was named MEP of the year for her work on Justice and Human Rights. Jean was first elected Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London in the 1999 European elections and was re-elected in 2004.
[1] Ground level ozone is formed when sunlight acts on nitrogen dioxide and other atmospheric substances close to the ground. The pollutants that cause ground level ozone come from a range of sources, including petrol and other fuels. For the full warning from Defra, plus further advice, visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2009/090601a.htm
[2] For more information on Jean's work on air quality, see http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/issue_detail.php?T=S
<http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/issue_detail.php?T=S&id=57> &id=57
[3] See http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/news_detail.php?id=469
For more information please contact:
Georgina Bloomfield, Press Officer for Jean Lambert MEP
Suite 58 The Hop Exchange
24 Southwark Street
Lodnon
SE1 1TY
Tel: 0290 7407 6280
Mob: 07988 790 889
Web: http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/ <http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/>
Join Jean's Facebook group at www.tinyurl.com/jeanlambert
From the Office of Jean Lambert MEP
London's Green Party Member of the European Parliament
2 June 2009
FIRST SUMMER SMOG WARNING AS TEMPERATURE RISES
- London Green MEP urges Mayor to cut air pollution to protect health
Jean Lambert, London's Green Party MEP, has expressed concern over the health implications, particularly for children and those with existing breathing problems, of the first predicted summer smogs.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) issued the warning yesterday that the current hot weather is likely to lead to the first summer smog episode of the year. Moderate ozone levels have been recorded across the UK, but weather conditions suggest ozone concentrations will reach high pollution levels. [1]
Jean has worked extensively to raise awareness of the air pollution crisis London faces, and has challenged the Government over its failure to act on this issue. [2] Today, she said:
"While the warning from Defra alerts us to smogs in rural areas, we must remember that air pollution in London is already at dangerously high levels.
"It's been great to see Londoners out enjoying the sunshine over the past few days, and we'd all love to see a long hot summer. But we must be alert to the health implications. The levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide in London have been far exceeding EU limits specifically designed to protect human health for years.
"Only a fortnight ago new figures based on EU research revealed that 4,400 Londoners die every year as a result of the terrible air quality in this city - that's more than four times previous estimates from the Mayor of London. [3] Smog should be a thing of the past: I hope Defra's warning proves stark enough for the Government to take decisive action on this issue at last."
Defra is urging the public to take measures which can help to reduce pollution and Jean is calling on the Mayor to do the same:
"I hope this warning will encourage the Mayor to heed Green calls for serious investment in infrastructure across the capital to increase walking and cycling and reduce traffic and harmful emissions."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Jean Lambert is one of nine MEPs representing London and one of two UK Green representatives in the European Parliament. In October 2005 Jean was named MEP of the year for her work on Justice and Human Rights. Jean was first elected Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London in the 1999 European elections and was re-elected in 2004.
[1] Ground level ozone is formed when sunlight acts on nitrogen dioxide and other atmospheric substances close to the ground. The pollutants that cause ground level ozone come from a range of sources, including petrol and other fuels. For the full warning from Defra, plus further advice, visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2009/090601a.htm
[2] For more information on Jean's work on air quality, see http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/issue_detail.php?T=S
<http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/issue_detail.php?T=S&id=57> &id=57
[3] See http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/news_detail.php?id=469
For more information please contact:
Georgina Bloomfield, Press Officer for Jean Lambert MEP
Suite 58 The Hop Exchange
24 Southwark Street
Lodnon
SE1 1TY
Tel: 0290 7407 6280
Mob: 07988 790 889
Web: http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/ <http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/>
Join Jean's Facebook group at www.tinyurl.com/jeanlambert
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