Air quality

In the UK, up to 36,000 deaths a year are attributed to long-term air pollution exposure. It is linked to heart disease, stroke, cancer within the respiratory tract, and acute respiratory infection. There is also emerging evidence of possible links with a range of other negative health effects including cognitive decline, diabetes and adverse effects on unborn babies. It is already known that children are more vulnerable than adults, with exposure linked to an increased incidence of asthma.

One of the most health damaging air pollutants is nitrogen dioxide. It is a toxic invisible gas that mostly comes from road vehicles. Concentration levels of nitrogen dioxide in the area proposed for the Bull Hill development already breach World Health Organisation recommended guidelines for health. It would be reasonable to assume that any additional road traffic as a result of the development would lead to even higher concentrations of this toxic gas with all its negative implications.

Currently there are large numbers of children walking and cycling to the various local schools and nurseries during peak hours in the Bull Hill area when traffic and nitrogen dioxide levels would be at their highest. By implication the development of Bull Hill would mean greater exposure, making them even more vulnerable, particularly to aforementioned conditions like asthma. It is known that high concentrations irritate their airway linings and damages the growth of their lungs.

With thanks to Dr G L Sugarman