Sign our petition to improve air quality and respiratory health
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Many European countries are experiencing difficulty meeting the air quality particle objectives set out by the EU. Investigations into particle sources showed that the majority of particles in cities originate from road transport. Road transport emissions are split into two source types: exhaust and non-exhaust. Exhaust sources are heavily regulated as manufactures have strict guidelines to adhere to and the majority of diesel vehicles travelling on UK roads are now equipped with a particle traps. Therefore, attention is now focusing on unregulated emission sources such as non-exhaust emissions which have been found to contribute significantly to particle concentrations. Non-exhaust emissions are generated through the resuspension of road dust or road surface wear as the vehicle travels over the road surface; corrosion of vehicle components; or during the mechanical processes associated with driving, such as brake, clutch or tyre wear.
Our research, which measured emissions inside a motorway tunnel in the UK, found non-exhaust emissions accounted for 49% of the total concentrations compared to 33% from exhaust and 18% from other sources. This study has provided a valuable insight into particle emissions from road traffic and the information regarding non-exhaust sources. If countries are to comply with the EU air quality objectives it will be important for policies to not only focus on exhaust emissions but also on non-exhaust sources.
Our petition hopes to prompt the Government to investigate non-exhaust emissions to reduce atmospheric particles improving air quality and reducing premature deaths.