Campaigners call for tougher pollution limits in Scotland as toxic air kills 2700 people per year

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SNP ministers are being urged to adopt tougher pollution limits as toxic air kills nearly 3000 Scots per year. Air quality campaigners said the Holyrood government is still to meet updated 2021 advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) calling on states to lower the limits of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide allowed in the air.

Poor air quality contributes to up to 2700 premature deaths each year in Scotland, research shows. It creates new lung conditions, worsens existing illnesses and is linked to lung cancer, heart disease and stunted lung growth in kids.

Asthma + Lung UK Scotland praised the Scottish Government for meeting its own air quality targets since 2022. However, it added these were based on WHO guidance first published in 2005.

Policy and public affairs officer Gareth Brown said: “We strongly urge the Scottish Government to align its air quality ambitions with the 2021 World Health Organisation air quality guidelines. Meeting the new targets isn’t something that can be done overnight, but we need a road map to reduce air pollution and give everyone the right to breathe clean air.

“Lower air pollution limits will better protect human health, particularly those living with lung conditions and those at risk of developing lung conditions. We are calling for automatic monitoring sites across Scotland, especially at schools, maternity units, hospitals and care homes.

“Live data and reporting should then be used to alert GP surgeries, hospitals and schools of periods of higher air pollution to protect the lungs and health of vulnerable people including those with existing lung conditions. These alerts should also be communicated to people with existing conditions so that they can prepare for any exacerbations.”

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Analysis by the charity previously found a significant number of Scotland’s automatic monitoring sites were showing air pollution higher than the WHO’s recommended levels for nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter in 2023. A petition has now been launched to call on the Scottish Government to adopt the new WHO guidelines to go further in reducing air pollution.

An Opinion Matters poll commissioned by the group found 54 per cent of Scots surveyed were concerned about air quality in their local area, rising to two-thirds when asked about air quality near schools.

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