Levels in the capital's atmosphere have dropped drastically since lead additives were phased out and meet current UK air quality targets. But res

Petrol lead still exists in London air 22 years after ban

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2021-06-22 15:30:08

Levels in the capital's atmosphere have dropped drastically since lead additives were phased out and meet current UK air quality targets.

But research by Imperial College London found airborne particles are still highly lead-enriched compared to natural background levels.

Lead author of the study Dr Eleonore Resongles said: "Petrol-derived lead deposited decades ago remains an important pollutant in London.

"Despite the leaded petrol ban, historically combusted lead is still present in London's air more than 20 years later."

Air pollution was found to have caused the death of nine-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debra in Lewisham, south-east London, a coroner ruled last December.

Air quality has gradually gone up the political agenda and this will probably reinvigorate attempts to clean up London's air.

The ultra-low emission zone scheme (ULEZ) - where more polluting vehicles pay extra to travel in London - is set to expand in October out to the North Circular and the South Circular.