The European Commission says the UK needs to take greater action on air quality. The Commission has sent final warnings to Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the UK for failing to address repeated breaches of air pollution limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2). NO2 pollution is a serious health risk, with most emissions resulting from road traffic.

Germany, France, Spain and Italy were also served with warnings over nitrogen dioxide levels. The Commission said if countries did not take action within two months it could take the matter to the European Court of Justice.

The Commission said more than 400,000 people died prematurely in the EU every year as a result of poor air quality and that millions more suffered respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

A coalition of NGOs and representative organisations has called for a Clean Air Act for the 21^st century. It says that annually, air pollution across the UK causes an estimated 40,000 early deaths and affects the daily life of thousands of people who have no choice but to breathe dirty air. Illegal and harmful levels of air pollution are found not only in London but in cities like Birmingham, Cardiff, Belfast and Glasgow and towns like Truro, Llandeilo and Lanark. Air pollution affects us all, from the womb to old age. It triggers strokes, heart and asthma attacks, increasing the risk of hospitalisation and death, and causes cancer. It is linked to premature births and stunted lung growth in children.

See also the Green Alliance blog on solutions for air pollution.