Emissions strategy re-think needed to prevent “serious” impact on health of Welsh communities

Welsh Conservatives will today (29/06) debate a motion calling on the Welsh Government to take action to combat air pollution in Wales and its “serious” effect on human health.

Air pollution is higher in Wales than any other devolved nation and contributes to 1,320 deaths in Wales annually. It is also home to the most polluted area outside London.

Assembly Members are expected to make the case for the development of effective and coherent Low Emissions Strategy (LES) to reduce emissions of air pollutants.

They will highlight the fact that the prevalence of air pollution – through increased emission of Nitrogen Oxide and particle matter – is on the rise in Wales and causing respiratory illnesses to spike.

Areas worst affected by this increase are Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent, with 18% of the former’s adult population now being treated for a respiratory illness compared to 17% of the latter.

The A472 Hafodyrynys Road which links Pontypool to Crumlin has the highest level of Nitrogen Oxide in Wales, making it the most polluted area outside London. Pharmacists in the surrounding area have reported an increase in the number of children who need inhalers.

Welsh Conservative shadow spokesperson for the environment, David Melding AM, said:

“Air pollution is already having a serious impact on the health our nation, and is at least partly responsible for a number of diseases from certain cancer types to asthma and COPD.

“That Wales is fairing worst in this aspect of all the devolved nations is a cause for deep concern and must not be ignored.

“The Welsh Labour Government take urgent steps to develop an effective and coherent low emissions strategy to prevent air pollution from spiralling into a health burden of epidemic proportions.

“I also call on the Cabinet Minister to give assurance that this issue is a high priority for the Government – to date, I have seen no evidence that this is the case.”