A tale of two cities: Paris and London are both failing to meet air pollution limits from traffic despite 12 years spent tackling the issue – and diesel vehicles are largely to blame

  • Despite extensive efforts, London and Paris both exceed legal air pollution limits
  • The team of researchers measured the impact of policies introduced in 2010
  • They found that both cities did not comply with the limits set by the WHO
  • Even though they passed stringent laboratory tests, new diesel cars failed to achieve anticipated reductions when driven on the roads

London and Paris were both found to exceed legal limits for nitrogen dioxide and airborne particle pollution, according to a study. 

For the first time, the study measures the impact of policies introduced in 2010 designed to reduce air pollution from urban traffic over the last twelve years. 

It found that despite efforts across both cities to combat air pollution, neither have achieved compliance with the objective, set by the World Health Organisation. 

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London and Paris were both found to exceed legal limits for nitrogen dioxide and airborne particle pollution, according to a study. For the first time, the study measures the impact of policies designed to reduce air pollution from urban traffic over the last twelve years (stock image)

London and Paris were both found to exceed legal limits for nitrogen dioxide and airborne particle pollution, according to a study. For the first time, the study measures the impact of policies designed to reduce air pollution from urban traffic over the last twelve years (stock image)

It found that despite efforts across both cities to combat air pollution, neither have achieved compliance with the objective, set by the World Health Organisation. Researchers measured the impact of policies designed to reduce air pollution from urban traffic over the last 12 years

It found that despite efforts across both cities to combat air pollution, neither have achieved compliance with the objective, set by the World Health Organisation. Researchers measured the impact of policies designed to reduce air pollution from urban traffic over the last 12 years

Researchers, from King's College London and Airparif, a French air quality monitoring organisation, measured the impact of policies designed to reduce air pollution from urban traffic since 2005. 

They found that policies put in place to tackle air pollution have led to improvements but overall, the rate of change is 'not enough'.

The team analysed the levels of pollution over two time periods, 2005-2009 and 2010-2016.

Since 2010, they found that there have been improvements in levels of nitrogen dioxide and particle concentrations across both cities. 

Nitrogen dioxide (NO) is a toxic gas caused by diesel vehicles and a major air pollutant which causes significant health effects. 

Breathing air with a high concentration of NO can irritate airways in the human respiratory system. 

As the legal compliance approached in 2010, nitrogen dioxide in both cities was getting worse.

Despite passing stringent laboratory tests, new diesel cars failed to achieve anticipated reductions when driven on the roads. 

They found that policies put in place to tackle air pollution have led to improvements but overall the rate of change is not enough. The team analysed two time periods, 2005-2009 and 2010-2016

They found that policies put in place to tackle air pollution have led to improvements but overall the rate of change is not enough. The team analysed two time periods, 2005-2009 and 2010-2016

From 2010 to the end of 2016, the large decline in particle pollution in London and Paris can be explained by the implementation of the Euro 5 standards on diesel cars and vans

From 2010 to the end of 2016, the large decline in particle pollution in London and Paris can be explained by the implementation of the Euro 5 standards on diesel cars and vans

This suggests that if feedback between air pollution surveillance and policy makers was better, it could have allowed for a more immediate response, as conditions changed from the expected trajectory.

From 2010 to the end of 2016, the large decline in particle pollution in London and Paris can be explained by the implementation of the Euro 5 standards on diesel cars and vans. 

The Euro 5 standards for vehicles restricts emissions, from both petrol and diesel cars, of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matters (PM), which are considered harmful to human health. 

There is some evidence that the introduction of newer diesel lorries and buses manufactured after 2009 lead to decreased nitrogen dioxide. 

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF THE WORLD'S MAJOR AIR POLLUTANTS?

According to the Environmental protection Agency, there are six major pollutants which can impact on human health and well-being. 

Particulate matter: Particulate matter is the term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air.

These particles come in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals.

Some are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires.

Fine particles (2.5 parts per million)are the main cause of reduced visibility (haze) in parts of the United States, including many of our treasured national parks and wilderness areas. 

Carbon monoxide: Breathing air with a high concentration of CO reduces the amount of oxygen that can be transported in the blood stream to critical organs like the heart and brain.

At very high levels, which are possible indoors or in other enclosed environments, CO can cause dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness and death.  

Nitrogen dioxide: Nitrogen dioxide primarily gets in the air from the burning of fuel. NO

It forms from emissions from cars, trucks and buses, power plants, and off-road equipment.

Breathing air with a high concentration of NO can irritate airways in the human respiratory system. Such exposures over short periods can aggravate respiratory diseases, particularly asthma, leading to respiratory symptoms (such as coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing).   

Sulfur dioxide: The largest source of Sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels by power plants and other industrial facilities.

Short-term exposures to SO can harm the human respiratory system and make breathing difficult. Children, the elderly, and those who suffer from asthma are particularly sensitive to effects of SO.

Ground-level Ozone: The ozone layer in the lower area of the lower portion of the stratosphere, approximately 12 to 19 miles above the surface of the planet (20 to 30 km). 

Although ozone protects us against UV radiation, when it is found at ground level it can cause health problems for vulnerable people who suffer from lung diseases such as asthma. 

It is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) - that are found in exhaust fumes - in the presence of sunlight.

Lead: Major sources of lead in the air are ore and metals processing and piston-engine aircraft operating on leaded aviation fuel. 

Other sources are waste incinerators, utilities, and lead-acid battery manufacturers. The highest air concentrations of lead are usually found near lead smelters.

 Depending on the level of exposure, lead can adversely affect the nervous system, kidney function, immune system, reproductive and developmental systems and the cardiovascular system.

Infants and young children are especially sensitive to even low levels of lead, which may contribute to behavioural problems, learning deficits and lowered IQ.

Source: EPA 

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In London, schemes to update bus fleets lead to rapid improvements alongside some roads. 

However, an increase in motorcycles in London since 2010 may have offset some of the improvements from other vehicle types. 

This highlights the less stringent exhaust standards applied to motorbikes compared with other vehicles. 

They note that nitrogen dioxide from traffic in London has deteriorated alongside some roads. 

Dr Gary Fuller, air pollution scientist at King's College London said: 'The diesel emissions scandal had a serious impact on air pollution in Europe's two mega-cities. 

'Even though new cars passed ever tighter exhaust tests, many emitted much more pollution when driven on our roads. This has led to chronic and widespread problems with limits for nitrogen dioxide.

'A clear lesson here the need for better feedback to make sure that our air pollution polices remain on track. 

'There have been some successes in London and especially with the bus fleet. Although we are now heading in the right direction; we need stronger policies, such as London's forthcoming ultra-low emission zone, to improve air pollution quickly for everyone in our cities, and we need to check that they work.'  

Every year, thousands die prematurely from long-term exposure to air pollution and our latest research shows that hundreds of schools are located in areas exceeding safe legal pollution levels.

The findings were published in the journal Environmental Pollution.

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