Mayor should reconsider his advice that exposure to current levels of ‘tube dust’ is unequivocally safe for staff and passengers- Mike Tuffrey (Stephen Clarke)

Mayor should reconsider his advice that exposure to current levels of ‘tube dust’ is unequivocally safe for staff and passengers- Mike Tuffrey

December 19, 2011 4:40 PM
Originally published by London Assembly Liberal Democrats

Mike Tuffrey, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly environment spokesperson and long time campaigner for cleaner air in London, commenting on new evidence of high levels of 'tube dust' in the London Underground, which far exceed levels measured underground in cities such as Barcelona, Milan, Paris, Rome, Stockholm and San Francisco, said:

"The latest evidence from the Campaign for Clean Air in London confirms, above all, that air pollution is all around us. There is no 'safe level' for exposure to fine airborne particles.

"As recently as last month, the Mayor told me "All readings are less than one third of the Health and Safety Executive [HSE] limit for general dust, and exposure remains safe for both staff and customers". But his approach is based on HSE guidelines that have been in place since 1998. Leading experts including the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the authoritative Institute for Occupational Medicine (IOM) have said that the HSE's guideline for occupational exposure to 'respirable dust', which is the most relevant component of general dust, should be reduced by 75%.

"The Mayor's own report shows concentrations of 'tube dust' have been measured on station platforms at or above the levels now recommended by the TUC and IOM, including Baker Street, Hampstead and Piccadilly Circus."

"The Mayor needs to consider the latest evidence and take all necessary action to protect staff and ensure that vulnerable Londoners are not at risk."

ENDS

Notes to editors

For further information about the high levels of 'tube dust' in London see the Campaign for Clean Air in London website:

http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/blog/Campaignresponses