A report in medical journal The Lancet says NINE MILLION people worldwide died as a result of pollution in 2015. Charity Living Streets is calling for clean air zones to tackle toxic traffic fumes across the UK.
Bangladesh and Somalia were the worst-affected countries, while Sweden and Brunei had the lowest numbers of pollution-related deaths. The UK ranked 55th in the global study, with around 50,000 deaths linked to air pollution.
Commenting on the news that Britons are twice as likely to die from air pollution than those in Sweden, New Zealand and Canada, Steve Chambers, Policy & research Coordinator for Living Streets, the charity for everyday walking, said: “We need to prioritise cleaning up in the air in our towns and cities. When we know the dangers of toxic traffic fumes it seems absurd that we wouldn’t act and stop harm. Those who cause pollution on our streets should be the ones who pay. Bring in comprehensive road pricing in London and clean air zones outside of the capital, so that we all have the opportunity to lead healthy lives.”
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