Diesels so deadly to Brummies

Jun 9 2005 By Ben Hurst, Transport Correspondent

BIRMINGHAM has high levels of deadly air pollution, experts found during tests in the city centre.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy discovered that readings for the toxic PM10 had rocketed to a new high.

The World Health Organisation says there is no safe level of this kind of pollutant, which is mainly given off by diesel engines.

A spokeswoman for the society said: "The levels in Birmingham are dangerously high and it is worrying that it has gone up by so much."

Society chairman Grahame Pope added: "Poor air quality can cause wheezing and shortness of breath.

"The health consequences for people with lung diseases like asthma and emphysema can lead to premature death.

"All of us, our children, our parents and our friends and work colleagues are breathing in this filthy air every day. "The Government should be setting a higher standard for air quality and consider legislation demanding this standard for all diesel cars on British roads."

Over the first five months of this year, levels stood at 26 micrograms per cubic metre of air - up four from the previous 12 months.

The city centre has the worst levels of PM10 in the West Midlands - soaring above the regional average of 22.3.

Second is Stoke city centre at 25, then Tyburn Road, Birmingham, at 22, and Leamington Spa and Wolverhampton city centre at 21. Worst nationally was Marylebone Road, in central London, at 41.