The Mayor of London has warned that air pollution in the capital can cause pregnancy complications with the Ulez expansion being a saving solution.
In an interview with an expert, the Mayoral body warned that nitrogen dioxide, a principal source of road traffic, is harmful to pregnancy.
NO2 mainly comes from petrol and diesel emissions, but as traffic in London continues to worsen, the most vulnerable are at risk of suffering the effects.
According to official reports, short-term exposure to concentrations of NO2 can cause inflammation of the airways and “may increase susceptibility to respiratory infections”.
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Nitrogen dioxide produced by cars is harmful to pregnant women
PA/GETTYNO2 exposure can also accelerate the symptoms of those already suffering from lung or heart conditions but can be particularly harmful to pregnant women.
Dr Chinthika Piyasena, a neonatologist, explained: “We know that air pollution is linked to complications in pregnancy and birth outcomes that are not ideal.
“NO2 is a key pollutant, and particularly in this context, from traffic emissions. It is also linked to adverse birth outcomes, babies who are born too early or too small.
“Interventions to try and reduce those pollutants in the air we breathe are important. It’s important to me also as a Londoner.”
A recent Mayor of London report detailed how air pollution also has a disproportionate impact on more vulnerable people, including older people, children, and pregnant women.
But, according to a new report from City Hall, emissions from cars have dropped by 13 per cent since last August making it marginally safer for people.
The lower pollution levels are the same as roughly 200,000 vehicles being removed from roads in London for a whole year.
The Ulez scheme was expanded last August with a total of 1,348,938 penalties being issued to drivers since then.
Official reports found that in 2019 between 3,600 and 4,100 deaths were estimated to be attributable to NO2 emissions in London alone.
Approximately 60 per cent of deaths related to air pollution were also likely to occur in outer London boroughs with higher proportions of elderly people.
The data described how road transport accounted for 44 per cent of total NO2 emissions in London, with Ulez being put in place to help combat this.
Despite the numerous health benefits cleaner air can have, many Londoners seem less convinced. Drivers who enter Ulez areas with a non-compliant vehicle must pay the £12 daily fee. If they fail to pay, they could be fined £180, which is reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
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Drivers of non-compliant vehicles are charged £12.50 to drive inside the Ulez
To be Ulez-compliant, petrol cars must adhere to Euro 4 emissions targets while diesel cars must be Euro 6 emissions.
Petrol cars meet the standards if they are registered as new with the DVLA after 2005, although cars that meet the standards have been available since 2001.
