Crime is in the air: air pollution and regulation in the UK

crime is in the air cover Professor Reece Walters (September 2009)

The report highlights the following:

  • It is estimated that 24,000 British residents die prematurely every year and thousands more are hospitalised, because of air pollution.
  • Levels of air pollution across London requires urgent attention as the 2012 games approaches.
  • The EU is currently preparing a legal case against the British government for repeatedly breaching pollution levels. More than 20 towns and cities have been found to be emitting pollution at twice the level specified in WHO standards.

This briefing highlights the human costs of air pollution and failed attempts to adequately regulate and control such harm. The report was funded by the Wates Foundation as part of the What is crime? project.

For more information on the What is crime? project click here.


Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, King's College London, Strand, WC2R 2LS
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