The quality of the air we breathe is an important environmental and public health concern. Although dramatic improvements have been made since the days of the smogs, a walk down Oxford Street or Marylebone Road will quickly show you why improvements still need to be made. Children, the elderly and people with respiratory, heart and lung problems are at risk in many parts of London. It is estimated that over 1,000 Londoners die every year due to respiratory problems caused by particulate matter pollution.

Big Smoke, Small Particles

John Bowis has been working for stronger air quality controls, with an emphasis on reducing fine particulate matter. There is a growing body of evidence to show that the finer particulates – known as PM2.5 – are particularly hazardous as they can be breathed more deeply into the lungs. British research shows that these can lower life expectancy across the population by 8 months. In 2006 the European Parliament gave its first reading to the proposed Cleaner Air for Europe Directive, which includes, among other measures, steps to limit particulate matter emissions.