News / Air pollution
Doctors call for action to tackle air pollution in Bristol
Some 70 healthcare professionals have signed a petition calling for action from the mayor to tackle the “devastating impact of air pollution” in Bristol.
Speaking at a meeting on Tuesday, Dr Ellen Wood outlined the stark facts surrounding the issue that she said contributes to around 40,000 early deaths each year in the UK and affects those in the poorest neighbourhoods the most.
Mayor Marvin Rees responded by hitting back at the doctor. He argued that the council is already putting measures in place to mitigate against the dangers of air pollution and suggested she look at her own organisation, asking what is being done within the NHS to alleviate the “burden” it puts on “our roads”.
is needed now More than ever
Dr Ellen Wood called for action on air pollution
Presenting the petition from the public gallery, Wood said: “We, as healthcare professionals, have long recognised the devastating impact of air pollution on the health of our patients.”
She said that air pollution plays a role in cancer, stroke, heart disease, asthma, diabetes, obesity and more. It also suppresses the growth of children’s lungs, increasing the risk of asthma and infections like pneumonia.
Wood referred to recent research that suggests air pollution is responsible for more deaths than smoking.
“There is evidence that those in the lowest income neighbourhoods are among those most affected by air pollution, due to their proximity to busy roads,” she continued.
“Yet these same people are responsible for omitting lower than average amounts of pollution, meaning those least responsible for the problem are worse affected by the health impacts.”
In a question, submitted jointly with Dr Victoria Stanford, she asked how “the inaction on cleaning up our air is justified”, arguing that while it is right to be concerned about affordability of a clean air zone, the mayor’s primary concern must be the devastating impact of air pollution on human health.
The council was instructed by the government to complete a clear air plan by the end of last year in order to comply with legal limits for nitrogen dioxide. Bristol has now twice missed a deadline to produce a clean air plan.
Marvin Rees demanded to know what is being done within the NHS to mitigate its impact
Responding to Wood’s question, Rees said: “There has been some misinformation around – I don’t know where this idea is coming from that things aren’t being done.”
He listed a number of measures being taken; including a new deal to increase bus use in the city, a large order of biogas buses set to put Bristol on track to have 100 per cent bio buses and investment in cycling infrastructure and environmental goals, set out in the One City Plan.
“We don’t have a government that’s wedded to deadlines in any way right now,” continued the mayor.
“The deadline has no bearing on the city’s ability to meet compliance.”
Rees added: “I have got to take issue with the way this has been framed. Air quality is a primary concern, along with a number of other primary concerns. We don’t have a hierarchy, we trying to do them all at the same time. We are not trading off economic growth against the environment.
“Socioeconomic factors are by far the biggest determinate on public health. There is a real political danger for the environment of further marginalising people from the economy.”
He then rounded on the NHS, saying: “The NHS generates five per cent of all road journeys in this country. They contribute 735 deaths from air pollution.
“I would say, as an NHS professional, what would also be good is if you don’t wait for the council: the NHS is a massive institution – I’d be interested to hear what you’re doing on transport plans to alleviate the burden you bring on to our roads.”
Read more: Greens slam council failure to meet Bristol’s clean air plan deadline – again
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