14 DAY TRIAL // A recent report entitled Air Quality – A Follow-Up Report issued by Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) suggested that the UK government tries to manipulate safety standards in order to comply with the EU regulations regarding air pollution, while the lives of thousands of people are still affected by this harmful phenomenon.
According to EAC's officials, while taking about their findings from 2010, UK's air pollution takes more lives than passive smoking, traffic accidents or obesity.
The environmental audit committee of MPs has affirmed that the present administration is trying to push this alarming matter under the rug, while struggling to create an appropriate framework which would avoid potential fines from the EU for not respecting the current policies.
The government has to face serious accusations, since the organization is reflecting that air quality regulations have been defied, while a significant amount of polluters has affected the atmosphere as well as the wellbeing of thousands of people who died or that have to deal with respiratory problems for the rest of their lives.
Even more alarming appears to be the fact that the government declines its responsibility in this matter, despite the fact that the report showed that poor people who live near the most important roads inhale diesel fumes and dangerous chemicals on a daily basis.
Tests which questioned the air quality in London, effectuated between January 1st and April 21st this year, highlighted the fact that the amount of particulate matter existing in the atmosphere went beyond the legal limit.
While applying the EU regulations, such a situation triggers a fine for breaking the established safety limits.
Taking into consideration the level of pollutants recorded by 40 out of 43 monitoring centers last year, it appears that the air quality has decreased since a significant concentration NO2 made its presence visible, harming a considerable segment of UK's population, and making the entire nation take more than £20bn ($31.29 bn or 23.27 bn euros) out of its pockets every year.
According to the data displayed by the EAC, the individuals' shorter life expectancy and a long list of chonic diseases have been correlated with a high level of pollution.
On this matter, the central government's strategy raises criticisms, as it is speculated that it is trying to make the local authorities pay for their lack of commitment, according to the Localism Bill.
At this point in time, The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs established a new deadline for dealing with the NO2 for good. Changes are expected to take place within the next 4 years.
Improving the air quality must become a national strategy, which has to involve the development of a greener transport policy while displaying a more responsible, eco-conscious conduct. The situation allows no delays, since the air pollution managed to take 30,000 lives in the UK (4,000 in London) in 2008.