ghp July 2015 pdf

4 | ghp July 2015 Air Pollution in London Serious Risk New report shows that pollution levels in the UK’s capital have reached fatal levels. The findings by King’s College London have shown that in 2010 52, 630 life-hours, equivalent to 3537 actual deaths, occurred owing to the impact London’s pollution levels are having on the city’s inhabitants. The report also stated that the economic costs of the pollution was estimated at between £1.4 and £3.7 billion. The research examined the combined impact that ni- trogen dioxide (NO2) and a particulate matter known as PM2.5 had on human health to produce their estimate of the scale of the problem. The report, produced for Transport for London and the greater London authority, ultimately estimated that around 9,400 people had died in 2010 as a direct result of exposure to this pollution. These results echo a report by Public Health England which indicates that in London in 2010 the death toll exceeded 10,000, with those over the age of 25 being most affected, with an estimated 5330 deaths in that age group. These results could have a significant impact on the healthcare industry, with new means of treating pollution related diseases required to help combat the growing problem. Although many businesses and transport industries are being called upon to help low- er the amount of air pollution, pharmaceuticals firms could capitalise on the problem by working towards ways of combating the issue internally. The full report by King’s College London can be accessed here. The full report by Public Health England can be accessed here. news