A new study by green group Transport & Environment (T&E) suggests that thousands of cases of dementia, diabetes and high blood pressure across the UK could be linked to tiny particles emitted by planes.
It is estimated that around six million people in the UK or 9% of the population who live within a 20km radius of London Gatwick, Stansted, Heathrow and Manchester airport are being exposed to ultrafine particles. These particles emitted by aircraft are particularly concerning as they penetrate deeply into the human body and have been found in blood, the brain and the placenta.
“This is a hidden health crisis. Governmental failure to address the spiralling growth of the aviation sector means that more and more people are suffering,” said Matt Finch, UK Policy Manager at Transport & Environment.
Ultrafine particles are approximately 1,000 times smaller than a human hair and there is currently no specific regulation on safe levels of ultrafine particles in the air, even though the world health organisation warned it was a pollutant of emerging concern over 15 years ago.
Tim Johnson, Director at the Aviation Environment Federation added: “Communities living around airports have been raising the alarm around air pollution for years and this report vindicates their position that more should be done. With public health already impacted by exposure to aircraft noise, UFPs from aircraft create yet another environmental health concern,”
In Europe, an estimated 52 million people to be affected by the continents 32 busiest airports.
Aircraft pollution said to be putting millions at risk of serious health conditions
