Agenda item

The Public Health Programme Manager, Fatima Ndanusa, and the Technical Officer for Air Quality and Environmental Noise, Sophia Norfolk, introduced a report on the links between air quality and health in Slough that sought to provide further information on the key areas of concern previously raised by Members including:

·  Slough’s mortality rate attributable to air pollution;

·  The causes of the mortality rate;

·  The distribution of associated health conditions across the population;

·  Any plans to review the action plan; and

·  Future arrangements for air quality monitoring.

The Panel received information on the principle causes of air pollution that included proximity to the motorway network, cross boundary effects from London and the continent, incineration and electricity generation and emissions from airplane take-off at Heathrow and unburned jet fuel.  In the latest figures from 2016, 6.2% of all cause adult mortality was attributed to particulate air pollution, which was higher than the national average of 5.3% and 5.5% in the South East.  This equated to approximately 51 people in Slough, although it was noted that the mortality rate may be relatively higher because cardiovascular and respiratory health were already poor locally.  There was strong evidence between air pollution and major diseases such as heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and childhood asthma.

Members discussed the work the Council was doing to address the issues of poor air quality including the recently agreed Low Emission Strategy (LES), the five Air Quality Management Areas and the transport strategy to encourage model shift away from cars.  In terms of monitoring there was an extensive monitoring network already in Slough and the data was regularly published.

The Panel discussed a number of other issues including;

·  The potential risks of exercising in areas of high air pollution.  Air quality varied throughout the day and the AirTEXT service was available to people to provide information.  Members felt this could be more widely publicised.

·  The apparent disparity in the mortality rate in the report compared to that stated in the LES.  It was agreed that the figure would be clarified.

·  There was a high cost of poor air quality and it was considered that this was likely to be understated.  It was noted that it was difficult to accurately quantify the local costs.

Councillor Smith made a number of comments about the air pollution attributable to Slough’s proximity to Heathrow airport and was concerned about the impact of the proposed third runway.  The associated increase in traffic movements in the Colnbrook and Poyle area were also a concern and proper mitigation in terms of the surface access transport plan would be required to protect local residents.

The Panel welcomed the information that had been provided and it was agreed that strong action needed to be taken to address the air quality problems in Slough.  It was noted that the LES had recently been agreed and the detailed action plans emerging from the strategy with health implications were likely areas of future scrutiny that the Panel could add to its work programme.  At the conclusion of the discussion, the report was noted.

Resolved –  That the report be noted.