People who use Tube 'exposed to eight times more air pollution than those who drive to work'

'Environmental injustice': London Underground users are exposed to 68mg of PM10 - particles of soot that are breathed into the lungs
PA
Patrick Grafton-Green15 February 2017

Commuters travelling on the Tube are exposed to eight times more air pollution than those who drive to work, a study has found.

The study, carried out by the University of Surrey, compared the levels of pollution commuters were exposed to on cars, buses and the Underground in different parts of London.

It found that being sealed inside a car means people are exposed to less harmful particulate matter from the outside.

Those who travel on the Tube are exposed to 68mg of PM10 - tiny particles of soot that are breathed into the lungs - while car drivers only had 8.2mg.

This is despite the fact motorists produce the most pollution per commuter.

The study found PM levels were highest on trains on the Victoria and Northern lines, which have opening windows, while passengers on newer District Line trains with closed windows were exposed to far lower concentrations.

Bus commuters were exposed to an average of 38mg of PM10.

The study also found the morning commute has more pollutants than afternoon and evening journeys, while there was no link between deprived areas and higher exposure, although people from affluent areas tend to breathe in less pollutants because more people use cars.

Dr Prashant Kumar, who led the study, said: "We found that there is definitely an element of environmental injustice among those commuting in London, with those who create the most pollution having the least exposure to it.

"The relatively new airtight trains with closed windows showed a significant difference to the levels of particles people are exposed to over time, suggesting that operators should consider this aspect during any upgrade of Underground trains, along with the ways to improve ventilation in underground tunnels."

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