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Air pollution causing city premature deaths
POOR air quality in Sheffield is responsible for between 240 and 325 premature deaths a year – and burdens the NHS with £95 million in extra costs.
The grim statistics are contained in a report to Sheffield Council's cabinet proposing a strategy to reduce pollution.
It said: "Episodes of air pollution make respiratory problems worse, increase hospital admissions and lead to some cardiovascular deaths."
Air pollution can reduce average life expectancy by seven to eight months for the population as a whole. But the health impact is greatest for younger and older people, those with heart and lung problems and those living in areas where air quality is regularly poor, the report revealed.
"Long-term exposure to poor air quality in the womb and childhood has been linked to low weight births and high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease in later life," the report added.
Figures for early deaths caused by air pollution have been estimated through a breakdown of national statistics, according to the extent of pollution and the average number of people with health problems related to air pollution per head of population.
Coun Shaffaq Mohammed, Sheffield Council cabinet member for environment, said: "At a time where people are giving their attention to climate change, we should not forget about clean air."
He added: "I live in Tinsley – part of the city where pollution from the M1 is a huge issue. Before I became a councillor, I was one of those leading the residents' campaign to highlight the problems there.
"And in Broomhill, which I represent, it's a major issue because of traffic."
Action to tackle poor air quality started in 2001, when the city, apart from the section in the Peak District, was made an Air Quality Management Area.
Sheffield started charging a levy to the worst-polluting companies and brought in initiatives such as Eco Stars, which challenges fleet owners to make their vehicles greener.
But targets for reducing nitrogen dioxide in the city and large particulates have been missed and emissions remain too high, with levels of nitrogen dioxide twice those recommended in some areas.
Both pollutants are caused by heavy traffic and large particulates also come from industry.
Hopes pollution could fall through development of more efficient vehicles have been dashed by the growth in popularity of diesel.
Ideas include raising the permit fee to companies which emit pollutants. Firms pay between 731 and 1,653 each year but the council is proposing an increase of up to 555.
More gas and electric-powered council vehicles and buses are being proposed, to be paid for with Government funding.
The measures are set to be approved by the council cabinet on Wednesday.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
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