Shocking air pollution figures show need for action

Shocking new figures which reveal that most of the UK suffers from air pollution above levels recommended by the World Health Organization show why it is imperative that action is taken immediately, the chief executive of a fuel technology company which is helping to tackle the problem said today.profile-ben-richardson_auto_x2.jpg

Analysis of Imperial College London data by the not for profit organisation Central Office of Public Interest (COPI), showed more than 97% of addresses exceed WHO limits for at least one of three key pollutants, along with harmful fine particulate matter, while 70% of addresses breach WHO limits for all three.

The 10 areas with the highest proportion of polluted homes are Slough, London, Portsmouth, Salford, Leeds, Manchester, Stockport, Reading, Southampton and Oldham.

COPI is now calling for a legal requirement for air pollution data to be disclosed to home buyers and renters.

Ben Richardson, Chief Executive of greentech company SulNOx Group Plc, said the analysis reinforced the need for immediate action from central and local government and from industry.

“This latest research into the levels of pollution in the UK is shocking to read but, sadly, not very surprising. But technology already exists to significantly reduce air pollution, which costs the UK economy over £20 billion every year,” said Ben.

“Analysis shows that over seven years, half a million people have died from causes including asthma attacks, exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia. Hospital admissions for lung conditions have doubled in England and Wales from 1,535 per 100,000 in 1999 to 3,143 per 100,000 in 2019.

“This is a public health crisis and needs a robust response.”

London-based SulNOx Group specialises in providing responsible solutions towards decarbonisation of liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Its fuel additives reduce the production of harmful emissions including particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5. In tests, its products have been shown to reduce PM2.5 by up to 60%.

Ben said: “We have the technology to help tackle air pollution today, not in another generation. In fact, it was recently reported that our unique technology can mitigate emissions and pollution equivalent to five million cars in the UK alone. This degree of impact cannot be ignored in our time of health crisis or climate emergency for that matter.

“We are in talks with numerous organisations at local, national and international level, about how we can help them reduce their environmental impact and their impact on air quality.

“We already partner with a number of organisations which have provided us with evidence of reduced particulate matter emissions both in tests and in the real world.”

The range of SulNOx Group’s green products includes the revolutionary SulNOxEco™ Fuel Conditioners, which improve combustion in light fuels including gasoline, regular diesel, marine diesel oil (MDO), marine gas oil (MGO), biofuels including hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO) and kerosene. Industries currently benefiting from using SulNOx include haulage, van fleets, shipping, oil companies, fuel storage and distribution, waste/reclamation, mining, generators, agriculture and construction.