Toxic air: a girl's mother died of asthma calls politicians to be braver | Environment

The mother of a schoolgirl who died of an asthma crisis related to air pollution warned that time was running out to save other children from a situation like and called on politicians to do more to fight the crisis.

The day that London Mayor Sadiq Khan inaugurated the new low-emission zone of the city (Ulez) to reduce air pollution, Rosamund Kissi-Debrah urged others to follow his example and invited him to go even further, faster.

"It's a really courageous thing for Sadiq Khan and I know he's concerned about the damage to the health of our children caused by air pollution, but that's not enough," Kissi said. Debrah.

"I just wish he could be even braver and go further, faster, because I'm afraid we're running out of time to tackle that."

Ella, the nine-year-old daughter of Kissi-Debrah, died six years ago. Medical experts have linked her death to the air pollution spikes caused by traffic near her home in South London. Earlier this year, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox granted Kissi-Debrah the right to go to the High Court for a new investigation as part of his effort to get air pollution officially recognized as the cause of Ella's death.

The toxic air causes the untimely death of at least 40,000 people a year in the UK – 9,000 in London – and makes hundreds of thousands of others suffer serious health problems at long term.

The Ulez project in Khan, the "world leader", will charge £ 12.50 for the cleanest cars and vans in central London 24 hours a day. The area is expected to reduce road transport emissions by about 45% and the system will be extended to north and south circulars from October 2021.

This initiative has been widely welcomed by parent groups, doctors and conservationists who say it will help revive the cleansing of toxic air in the capital. But many urged politicians across the country to go even further.

When and where does it work?

From 8 April 2019, in the Central London toll zone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From October 2021, Ulez will be extended to London districts, up to Circular roads north and south.

Who pays?

Drivers of older cars, vans and motorcycles will have to pay £ 12.50 per day if they do not meet the more stringent standards for exhaust emissions. Non-compliant trucks and coaches will be charged £ 100 per day.

Is my car compliant?

If it is a diesel engine Euro 6 (normally manufactured after 2015) or Euro 4 (newer than 2005), it is exempt from the tax. Drivers can check if their vehicle is compliant on the TfL website.

Is it instead of the congestion charge?

No, it's as good as the C-charge, which applies to those who enter the area from Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm. It costs £ 11.50.

How will drivers know and if I do not pay?

License plate recognition cameras will check for cars whose emission certifications are in the DVLA database. Motorists can pay the fees at midnight the next day. Non-payment will result in a fine of £ 160 for cars or £ 1,000 for trucks.

Will older vehicle drivers be exempt?

Holders of badges, until 2025, and residents of the urban toll zone, until 2021, will be exempted. Just like the black taxi drivers.

A group of 30 school leaders in London wrote to Khan to applaud the project, but called for increased support for actions to combat the effects of air pollution on children.

"Protecting the well-being of our students is not only one of our essential tasks, it should also be a top priority for society in general," they said in a letter organized by Greenpeace. "We want our students to develop a healthy brain, not unhealthy lungs."

Professor Jonathan Grigg of the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health and expert in air pollution said: "About 50% of air pollution comes from road transport and 40% from diesel, so the introduction of Ulez in London is welcome .

"Along with this move, we need to see employers and schools encourage better use of public transit and active travel options such as walking and cycling."

According to Mr. Khan, Mr. Ulez is part of a broader package of measures to significantly reduce air pollution over the next few years. New statistics show that the program has already led to a decline in the number of dirty vehicles driving in central London, with a 43% reduction in the number of "non-compliant" cars and vans between February 2017 and March this year.

Kissi-Debrah estimates that time is running out and that more and more effects are emerging almost weekly on the effects of air pollution on lung development, heart problems, stroke and cognitive abilities.

"I was at a bus stop yesterday and while the bus was getting away, a group of kids were chatting and laughing under the exhaust fumes," she says.

"It was so painful after what happened to Ella. I know what it's doing to them and their bodies, and they probably have no idea – that's why I keep going, keep telling people the facts about it. "

She called on people to think "very loudly" about the question of whether they should own or use a car, or take a taxi or Uber, adding that Ulez had to be "on the scale." from London "and not stop in central London or even north. South Circular, calling on politicians – at the national and regional levels – to cope with the scale of the crisis.

"We do not have time to wait. I really fear that if we have another hot summer, with the current levels of pollution, we will see more children dying, as my daughter did, and I can not bear that thought. "