Finding a fume-free future
London is one of many busy cities throughout the UK that are filled with trendy shops, packed clubs, grand old buildings and pretty parks. Unfortunately, many of these vibrant cities are also filled with something else: fumes.
You may not be able to see the fumes most of the time, but when heat and still conditions arrive in summertime, the heavy smog hanging over London is a worrying indicator of the tiny particles and gases that are in the air we breathe.
The harmful effects of the haze on summer days are clear to those working in hospitals and other medical practices. The sunlight reacts with the air pollutants and hundreds, even thousands, of people have to be admitted to hospital with respiratory problems as a result. A recent study estimated that 32,000 UK people suffer an early death each year due to pollution.
Hidden or not, there are many different types of pollution that city-dwellers are exposed to for hours at a time. Nitrous oxide, tiny particles known as PM10, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, ozone, and volatile organic compounds are just some of the pollutants that fill our world at street level.
Scientists believe that PM10 has a huge impact on respiratory health, causing ill health such as wheezing, coughing, and breathlessness. It can pose even more of a threat to those who have existing chest conditions, exacerbating the symptoms of asthma and emphysema.
What can be done?
Years ago, the smoky chimneys of the coal industry were responsible for much of the UK's PM10 production. Now, the main
culprit is traffic. Diesel engines produce significantly more of these particles than petrol engines, although no engine is totally
without emissions.
Various ideas have been mooted as to how to solve the problem of PM10. One plan that has been backed by the Mayor of London is that of restricting emissions from public vehicles such as buses, coaches and taxis. These vehicles make up much of the traffic that travels around the city and could go a great way to reducing PM10 emissions.
However, it is clear that some very urgent changes are needed. The EU's particle regulations state PM10 levels should not exceed the stated maximum of 50 micrograms per cubic metre more than 36 times a year. Between January and May 2005, the maximum had been exceeded 35 times.
A more radical solution to the problem has also been supported by the Mayor of London. Vehicles that pump out the greatest amount of PM10 will be banned from Greater London and new low-emission zones will be introduced.
Changes seem to be afoot in the city of London, which faces the highest levels of PM10 pollution in the UK. However, it is not just Londoners that are affected by traffic pollution. Every person that lives in a city, in a town, in a village, or even near a road is going to breathe in these miniscule yet dangerous particles. A nationwide solution is needed if we are to lessen the effect of PM10 on the UK population.
There is a wide range of possibilities available to address this problem. One option would be to decrease the desirability of cars with diesel engines by increasing the cost of owning one, such as by raising the car insurance group or by putting up the cost of diesel.
Another option that could have an incredible impact on PM10 emissions would be the mandatory fitting of particulate filters to all diesel cars. These filters can reduce the amount of PM10 emitted by up to 90% but unfortunately are quite costly devices. Until a cheaper solution is found, it is unlikely that this option would be explored by private car owners.
The ideal solution would be to do away with traditional diesel engines altogether, replacing them with an alternative with much lower PM10. This solution is being worked on by bio-fuel companies around the world but such a product has not yet been brought to the UK market. However, the future does look hopeful, with some BioDiesel products offering 80% lower PM10 and half the overall ozone-forming emissions of normal diesel engines.
Many people involved in reducing PM10 and other emissions believe that those who choose to buy eco-friendly vehicles should have cheap car insurance and reduced running costs in order to make this type of car a more attractive option than those with diesel engines.
As can be seen from this discussion, there are many ways in which PM10 emissions can be reduced. The way forward is as yet unknown but with EU regulations becoming much stricter in 2010, the UK has to get on the road to lower emissions sooner rather than later.