21 June 2018 – Clean Air Day
Clean Air day is coming up on Thursday 21 June. This year CTPC members are planning to focus on #NoIdling – encouraging drivers to switch off their engines when stationary for more than one minute. Examples include when parked, waiting, loading/unloading and where there are long delays such as at Eastgates and at complex traffic light junctions such as both ends of Brook St and in Magdelen St (both in air quality management areas)
Colchester has four declared air quality management areas where Nitrogen Dioxide levels exceed the EU legal limit. The main source of the air pollution is from motor vehicles. Air pollution is believed to have contributed to over 140 early deaths in Colchester last year alone.
Find out more about air quality in Colchester
Transport is a massive source of air pollution. Toxic gases (such as nitrogen dioxide) and particulate matter emitted by vehicle engines can cause a whole range of health problems, ranging from coughing and itchy eyes to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and even premature death. Children are particularly at risk with air pollution linked to low birth weight and poor lung development. The health impacts of air pollution cost the NHS around £54 billion a year.
You are not safer inside the car either. If you are sitting in stationary traffic, the air pollution in your car from the exhaust of the car in front is worse than outside your car.
Find out more about the health impacts of poor air quality
Leaving engines running while stationary is an unnecessary source of air pollution. Switching off when stationary is a simple action everyone can take that can make a big difference.
A recent study showed in areas of high air pollution due to traffic congestion, switching off engines can reduce peak concentrations in air pollution by as much as 20-30%.
CTPC members will be looking at No Idling promotions on their own sites and with their own staff and asking staff to help spread the word.
Clean Air Day offers really useful free resources to provide training, guidance and downloadable posters and flyers to support ‘No Idling’ campaigns.
If you are interested in getting involved in helping spread the message about air pollution, it’s impact and how to reduce air pollution, get in touch; or if you are a school, workplace or healthcare provider, Clean Air Day has developed free tailored downloadable action packs.
Find out more about free resources to take part in Clean Air Day 2018
If you want to know more about how you can reduce your own contribution to air pollution, have a look at the Clean Air Day website or it you want to get involved in helping make Colchester’s air safer to breathe get in touch with the local community group Clean Air Colchester