A new report from the London Assembly's Health and Environment Committee shows the health impacts of pollution within the city. Pollution, mainly produced by diesel vehicles, has been linked to respiratory problems, breast cancer, and diabetes, and has recently been found to contain nitrogen dioxide and other particulate matter which are carcinogenic.
The news has led them to urge businesses to phase out all diesel-powered vehicles from their fleets, and instead investing in electric vehicles or developing more efficient distribution methods.
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The study backs up another recent report which found that pollution causes around 4,000 deaths a year in London, and adds £20 billion a year in extra health care costs.
Murad Qureshi, the chair of the Health and Environment Committee, told BusinessGreen, that the adverse health effects that pollutants cause will also affect businesses due to the increased number of absences for sickness.
Qureshi is a strong supporter of Mayor Borris Johnson's recent proposal to replace existing Greener Vehicle and Electric Vehicle exemptions from the congestion charge with a new Ultra Low Emissions Discount (ULED) from July next year. There are currently no diesel cars available to buy that would be eligible for the new ULED.
By. Joao Peixe of Oilprice.com
Joao is a writer for Oilprice.com More