UK air pollution killing more than 500 people a week, doctors say
GuardianJUN 20
Report: UK Air Pollution Kills 30,000 Annually, Costs £27 Billion
Above: The London Eye, Palace of Westminster, and buildings in central London on Jan. 14, 2022 Image copyright: Daniel Leal/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Britain gasps under a lethal toxic veil: poisoned air triggers strokes, breeds cancer, and stunts children's developing lungs while unleashing depression, anxiety, and dementia. With 500 weekly deaths, the U.K. confronts an enduring environmental disaster.
Narrative B
The U.K. has made dramatic strides on the air pollution front — cutting emissions, cleaning city air, and phasing out coal. Decades of tireless reforms have transformed once-lethal pollution into cleaner, safer air. Although challenges remain, progress is being made on this front.