Monday, 15 March 2021

Are We All Road-Kill?

The pollution associated with roads includes nanoparticles (from engines, tyres and brake linings); nitrogen dioxide (mainly from diesel engines), as well as noise and light. The detrimental effects of these pollutants on human health and wildlife are very well-documented. Their dangers have been known for decades and upper, legal limits specified. A recent study has found, however, that 94% of land in the UK, is affected by road pollution. In deed, 70% of our 'green and pleasant land' is affected by all four components (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/12/road-pollution-affects-94-of-britain-study-finds). The only way you can avoid road pollution in the UK, is to live near the top of a mountain. This, obviously, is not really possible for more than a handful of folk. It is remarkable so little has been done about reducing road pollutants in the UK. I suspect it reflects the power of the motoring lobby. One must stress, that even a transition to all electric vehicles, will not remove all sources of pollution from around our roads.

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