Though the days of toxic “pea souper” fogs and coal fires are thankfully well behind us, in many parts of London the air remains injurious to health, one of the chief sources of pollution being road traffic, another gas cookers and central heating. One of the campaigns working hard to improve the capital's air quality both inside and outside the home is the London Clear Air Initiative.
The London Clean Air Initiative is a non-profit action group aiming to improve air quality across London. It seeks to work closely with the entire community, including schools, businesses, and residents, as well as the local authority
The campaign's publication Let's Clear the Air - The Londoner's Guide to Air Pollution and its Solutions explains what is meant by air pollution, where it comes from and how it affects health. It points out that 30,000 deaths a year in the UK are linked to air pollution.
The guide also describes the history of air pollution in London and explains what are the main causes today, and has advice on reducing exposure to harmful air both outside and inside the home.
The campaign advocates “ditching the car” and walking or cycling to work or school instead. It calls on readers to request that their local council introduces school streets, low traffic neighbourhoods and parklets.
The guide points out air quality inside homes is often worse than outdoors. It recommends opening windows, especially when cooking and hanging out clothes to dry indoors.
If possible, it says, you should switch away from using gas cookers (but if you can't, always open windows when using cookers!).
It also warns about harmful volatile organic compounds given off by cleaning products, deodorants, detergents, candles and new furniture.
Download Let's Clear the Air - The Londoner's Guide to Air Pollution and its Solutions