A Silent Killer in the U.K.?

[alib]

On Freakanomics Traffic Pollution: A Silent Killer in the U.K.?

A new study claims that traffic pollution “is more than twice as deadly as traffic accidents.” Scientists Steve Yim and Steven Barrett “estimate that combustion exhausts across the U.K. cause nearly 5,000 premature deaths each year,” writes Roland Pease. “The pair also estimate that exhaust gases from aeroplanes cause a further 2,000 deaths annually.” The study also points out that pollution travels:

Of the 19,000 annual U.K. deaths estimated, 7,000 are due to pollutants blown in from the continent. In London, European pollutants add 960 deaths each year to the 2,200 caused by U.K. combustion fumes.
But the international trade in deaths goes both ways. More than 3,000 European deaths can be attributed to U.K. emissions the authors say.

Yim and Barrett estimate that premature deaths are costing the U.K. billions of dollars a year, and suggest reducing black carbon and nitrogen oxide emissions and investing in public transportation.

This of course is no reason to stop revving your big Kraut SUVs at the traffic lights, you are probably only bumping off the irritatingly wheezy bed blockers (some of them French) and think of my bulging hydrocarbon portfolio.

[the_wolf]

An awful lot of 'estimations' there. I smell shite.

[LoneTree]

I,ve been thinking this for years. *** Tin foil hat on*** Tobacco being made a scapegoat for the oil companys ? *** Tin foil hat off *** .

LT

[alib]

I,ve been thinking this for years. *** Tin foil hat on*** Tobacco being made a scapegoat for the oil companys ? *** Tin foil hat off *** .

LT

Oil companies can do no wrong, it would be like a Blue Peter presenter indulging in deviant sex.

[HectortheInspector]

Vaguer than a big bag of vague things.
There's a confusion between gas and particulate, UK and foreign, and traffic and other sources.
Public Health Impacts of Combustion Emissions in the United Kingdom - Environmental Science & Technology (ACS Publications)

Quote:
"We estimate the uncertainty in premature mortality calculations at −80% to +50%, where results have been corrected by a low modeling bias of 28%. The total monetized life loss in the UK is estimated at £6–62bn/year or 0.4–3.5% of gross domestic product."

Them's some pretty large variances!

[alib]

Vaguer than a big bag of vague things.
There's a confusion between gas and particulate, UK and foreign, and traffic and other sources.
Public Health Impacts of Combustion Emissions in the United Kingdom - Environmental Science & Technology (ACS Publications)

Quote:
"We estimate the uncertainty in premature mortality calculations at −80% to +50%, where results have been corrected by a low modeling bias of 28%. The total monetized life loss in the UK is estimated at £6–62bn/year or 0.4–3.5% of gross domestic product."

Them's some pretty large variances!

"£6–62bn/year" in real money that's 150% of the defense budget, or how much Jarrod spends on skincare.

[ancienturion]

You're OK inside the car anyway because the air conditioning filter protects you.

[Mr_C_Hinecap]

Poor air quality reduces the life expectancy of everyone in the UK by an average of seven to eight months and up to 50,000 people a year may die prematurely because of it. Air pollution also causes significant damage to ecosystems. Despite these facts being known air quality is not seen as a priority across government and the UK is failing to meet a range of domestic and European targets.

2. Industry and road transport are the main sources of air pollution, though domestic combustion and agriculture are also to blame. Industry is a major source of emissions of NOX (46%) and PM10 (36%). Road transport contributes to significant emissions of NO2 (30%) and PM10 (18%). Emissions and exposure vary greatly depending on location. Although polluting, the majority of large combustion plants are located away from major urban centres. Road transport contributes far more to the public’s exposure to pollutants and is responsible for up to 70% of air pollution in urban areas.

Taken from:
http://www.publications.parliament.u...d/229/229i.pdf

Amazing what I have to write essays on.

[HectortheInspector]

Poor air quality reduces the life expectancy of everyone in the UK by an average of seven to eight months and up to 50,000 people a year may die prematurely because of it. Air pollution also causes significant damage to ecosystems. Despite these facts being known air quality is not seen as a priority across government and the UK is failing to meet a range of domestic and European targets.

2. Industry and road transport are the main sources of air pollution, though domestic combustion and agriculture are also to blame. Industry is a major source of emissions of NOX (46%) and PM10 (36%). Road transport contributes to significant emissions of NO2 (30%) and PM10 (18%). Emissions and exposure vary greatly depending on location. Although polluting, the majority of large combustion plants are located away from major urban centres. Road transport contributes far more to the public’s exposure to pollutants and is responsible for up to 70% of air pollution in urban areas.

Taken from:
http://www.publications.parliament.u...d/229/229i.pdf

Amazing what I have to write essays on.

Well, let's just say that Govt is AWARE of its obligations under those pesky intrusive EU regulations that are trying to stop us choking on our own filth-The interfering bastards!
UK and EU Air Quality Limits - Defra, UK

The only problem is that we in the UK are having trouble following these guidelines-especially in London.Which won't stop us getting 'infracted' (fined) by the EU for gassing ourselves in our own capital. NOx compounds are a particular problem.

Extract from recent Hansard 26 March 2012. House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 26 Mar 2012 (pt 0001)

"Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Air Pollution

Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of when the UK will be fully compliant with EU requirements on air quality; and what steps she is taking to ensure such compliance. [100475]

Richard Benyon: The UK is currently compliant with EU requirements for particulate matter (PM10) in all areas except London. Compliance in London was expected in 2011 and the Government have submitted an update to the European Commission on the measures being taken to help ensure compliance is achieved. This update is publicly available on the DEFRA website.

Meeting EU requirements for nitrogen dioxide is challenging for the UK and many EU member states. In September 2011, the Government submitted air quality plans to the European Commission outlining how EU limits for nitrogen dioxide will be met as soon as possible. These plans are publicly available on the UK Air website.

The UK meets EU limit values currently in force for other air pollutants."

Some additional details here:
http://www.publications.parliament.u.../1820/1820.pdf

[chocolate_frog]

Oil companies can do no wrong, it would be like a Blue Peter presenter indulging in deviant sex.

Or taking drugs or having a bastard (but fit later in life) baby.

I tried to be a silent killer in the uk but I keep talking myself through it...