New analysis from City Hall shows that every hospital and medical centre in London is located in areas which do not meet World Health Organization guideline limits for toxic air pollution.
Based on the latest London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, the new analysis shows that, for toxic nitrogen dioxide, while 91 per cent of hospitals and medical centres meet the legal limits set by the government, no hospital or medical centre meets the stricter WHO recommended guidelines for the protection of human health.
Similarly for toxic PM2.5, the pollutant with the biggest impact on health, every hospital and medical centre exceeds the stricter WHO recommended guidelines for the protection of human health.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan argued that the data adds to growing evidence that bold action is required to reduce air pollution, tackle the climate emergency and cut congestion in the capital to protect the most vulnerable Londoners and create a greener, healthier city.
He said: “We know toxic air pollution stunts the growth of children’s lungs and worsens chronic illnesses such as asthma, lung and heart disease. That is why it is unacceptable that all of London’s hospitals, medical centres and care homes, which look after some of the most vulnerable Londoners when they are most unwell, are in areas which exceed the World Health Organization guideline limit for pollution.
“Tackling air pollution in our city has been a priority for me since I was first elected in 2016 and I’m more determined than ever to do everything I can to consign air pollution to the history books. We simply don’t have time to waste and I’m not willing to put off the action we can take a moment longer than necessary. Steps to tackle air pollution will also help tackle the climate crisis and I’m determined that we do everything possible to protect Londoners’ health both now and in the generations to come.”
Larissa Lockwood, director of Clean Air, Global Action Plan, said: “Clean air in and around healthcare settings is crucial. No one should have to breathe dirty air, but we need to protect our most vulnerable. It cannot be right that healthcare professionals are forced to care for patients in environments that can worsen their symptoms as well as put them at risk of a whole range of other health problems. And this is all off the back of a respiratory pandemic, which we know the symptoms of can be exacerbated by air pollution.
“Whilst it is imperative that we improve the air quality in healthcare environments, tackling air pollution goes beyond the boundaries of the hospital, clinic room or GP practice. That’s why Global Action Plan pioneered The Clean Air Hospital Framework, a free resource that not only provides guidance on tackling air pollution in and around hospitals, but also offers advice for staff and patients to use in their local community.”
