Councils in Essex launch new strategy to tackle air pollution
The strategy is in partnership with all district, borough, city, and unitary councils across Essex
Councils in Essex have published their new strategy to improve air quality in the region, and reduce exposure to air pollution.
They say it is the "largest environmental risk to public health in the UK", and say that "more than one in 20 deaths are estimated to be linked in some part to air pollution" - based on data from Public Health England.
Councillor John Spence, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Adult Social Care, Public Health and Integration at Essex County Council, said: “The Essex Air Quality Strategy has now been published as the result of great work between Essex councils and other interested bodies.
“Air quality in Essex may be ok overall, but if you are stuck in a house with poor ventilation and dampness or regularly get caught in one of the county’s busiest traffic hotspots, then that overall standard is of no use to you.
“All the councils across Essex have endorsed this strategy; let’s keep that going, as words translate into actions.”
Professor Sir Stephen Holgate, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Clean Air Champion and Special Advisor to the Royal College of Physicians on Air Quality, has a foreword in the new strategy.
He added: “The science is now overwhelming; air pollution is a major driver of disease across the life course – from low birth weight and childhood asthma to heart attacks and dementia.
“It must be recognised and treated as a public health issue. The cost of inaction is measured not only in lives lost, but in people not being able to live healthily and in billions drained from our economy every year. We must act now – and we must act together.”