Experts say air pollution ‘putting lives at risk’ in Sandwell

Sandwell borough has been named one of 75 local authorities in the UK – and the only one in the West Midlands – where average levels of tiny toxic particles in the air are continuing to exceed guidelines set out by the World Health Organisation.

It comes as neighbouring Birmingham plans to introduce a clean air zone this summer, meaning owners of "non-compliant" cars will pay £8 to drive into the city centre.

Experts warn this means residents are likely to be subjected to dangerous levels of pollution as they go about their daily lives.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) says the poor levels of air quality mean people have an increased risk of death equivalent to smoking 130 cigarettes a year.

Over the next decade, it estimates as many as 810 heart and circulatory deaths in Sandwell could be attributed to particulate air pollution.

While Sandwell is the only local authority in the West Midlands with an annual average that breaches WHO limits, experts warn there are many other locations in the region where these limits are breached on a regular basis, exposing more people to dangerous air.

Jacob West, director of healthcare innovation at the BHF, said the Government and council bosses must take the issue of air pollution seriously.

He said: “This Government has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take brave political action in cleaning up our toxic air.

“Tackling a public health emergency on this scale requires serious and sustained commitment. This could mean changes that might not be easy or convenient for organisations or individuals, but they will prove crucial to protecting people’s health.

“You only have to look at past Clean Air Acts or more recently the smoking ban for examples of bold legislation that has improved the air we all breathe.

“The uncomfortable truth is that UK heart and circulatory deaths attributed to air pollution could exceed 160,000 over the next decade unless we take radical steps now.”

He added: “We can’t see them, but every day, we all breathe in tiny toxic particles which damage our heart and circulatory health. They are an invisible killer. We must not become complacent and accept dirty air is a part of normal life.”

A Sandwell Council spokesman said: “Sandwell is committed to reducing the exposure of people in the borough to poor air quality and improve health.

"We are currently developing our Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) that sets out what action the council will take to improve air quality over the next five years.

“The draft AQAP focuses on three priority areas – reducing air pollution in hotspots that have been identified around the borough; promoting walking, cycling, car sharing and public transport; and reviewing the impact of the council’s own activities on air pollution.

“We are very serious about improving air quality in Sandwell as it’s important to our residents’ health.”