Fair Air?

 “Traffic fumes linked to lower birth weight” is an article in today’s BBC News reporting on a study in Environmental Health Perspectives. Its conclusion is that babies born to mothers living anywhere with measurably poor air quality are at risk of low birth weight. These babies may only be a little low in birth weight but in adult life are at increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. The study looked at data from nine nations and concluded that the problems were common to all.                                                                                                                                        

Comment on the report from The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is that though air quality in the UK is "generally good, more needs to be done, especially in the cities, to reduce the harmful effects of air pollution". Action is called for in the 2012 London Assembly paper reporting on the high percentage of deaths attributed to air pollution in London boroughs.

London is among the worst in Europe for air pollution. A report Great Smog 60 years on makes interesting reading about the past and present air pollutants in the city.

Scotland's ‘top 10’ polluted streets were named in a report revealing their high nitrogen dioxide levels. Using the EU and UK standard of 40 micrograms per cubic metre of nitrogen dioxide, Glasgow returned the worst readings.