Our cities are clogged with traffic because of the lack of free, high-quality public transport. One result is that an estimated 1,300 die each year from air pollution.
One of the biggest causes is particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which are released from car exhausts.
A new study by the Imperial College London’s Environmental Research Group shows that air pollution has many hidden side effects.
During pregnancy, it can cause low birth weight and miscarriages. In children, it can stunt lung growth, cause asthma and affect blood pressure. In adulthood, it makes early death more likely through multiple chronic illnesses, cancer and strokes.
We need to get out of cars but that requires a big investment in free and frequent public transport. The claim by Eamonn Ryan that it will lead to ‘unnecessary journeys’ is pure nonsense.
