Pupils of 50 Wandsworth schools suffer health risk due to traffic-related pollution
'Clean Air in London' (CAL) published a report this week showing that 1148 schools in London are within 150m of heavily trafficked roads. New scientific research indicates that children exposed to higher levels of traffic-related air pollution at school and home are at increased risk of developing asthma.Scientists say living near roads travelled by 10,000 or more vehicles per day could be responsible for some 15-30 per cent of all new cases of asthma in children; and of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and CHD (coronary heart disease) in adults 65 years of age and older.Simon Birkett, director of CAL, said: "The government and mayor Johnson must tackle an invisible public health crisis harming as many people now as the Great Smog did in December 1952. We need one or more additional inner low emission zones that ban the oldest diesel vehicles from our most polluted roads, and a massive campaign to build public understanding of the dangers of air pollution with advice on how people can protect themselves."In Wandsworth, whilst the main trunk roads are managed by TFL, the council also has a responsibility with regards to the road network that it manages. As the council starts to play a greater role in local health budgets, the burden of health impacts from air pollution on local residents will be a extra financial drain on the council. Jon Irwin, co-chair of Wandsworth Environment Forum, said: "Our 20mph campaign if implemented would result in less hard braking and acceleration which is known to reduce emissions. It would also encourage more people to walk or cycle for short journeys, which clearly would reduce emissions. This is why we are calling on the council to support the campaign for 20mph limits on our residential and local shopping streets."Sign the e-petition here: http://bit.ly/iqVoBg Paper versions of the petition are also available - please contact the WEF co-chairsLinks / More info:Clean Air in London -http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/blog/_archives/2011/6/21/4842298.htmlLondon Schools Air Quality report - from BBC articlehttp://downloads.bbc.co.uk/london/pdf/london_schools_air_quality.pdfIf you are interested in getting involved further and exploring other ways in which you can support the 20's Plenty for Wandsworth campaign please contact:Jon Irwin - Co-chair of Wandsworth Environment Forum -jon.irwin@gmail.com - 07748 150004 Frances Hagger - Co-chair of Wandsworth Environment Forum - fhagger@gmail.comPresentation of the petition to the council is planned for the October Wandsworth council meeting. Paper signatures are also being collected, forms are available from the Vice-chairs. National campaign link - http://www.20splentyforus.org.uk
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