Cancer causing dust particles in the air in Waltham Forest are at the highest level since records began.

Last week, the council admitted it is over the limit for the particulates, known as PM10, across the borough.

At a meeting of the Neighbourhood Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, a number of projects were blamed, including the Walthamstow Stadium development, the Banbury Park Development and the Peugeot/Citroen development.

Waltham Forest has the highest levels of all surrounding boroughs.

Nitrogen Dioxide levels in Waltham Forest in 2013 were at 68, while Redbridge was at 45, Barking and Dagenham at 35, Newham at 40 and Hackney at 64.

The legal limit is either an annual level of 40 micrograms per cubic metre of air or no higher than 50 micrograms per cubic metre 35 times a year.

The borough is at its highest levels since monitoring began in 1998.

Sixty-five per cent of Nitrogen Dioxide in the air comes from traffic, according to the council and 12 per cent from other transport.

In 2008, the number of deaths attributed to exposure to cancer causing particles was 129.

 

 

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Leyton ward had the highest number at eight deaths with Wood Street, Leytonstone, Lea Bridge, Hoe Street, Grove Green, Chapel End, High Street and Can Hall following with seven each.

The council is working on ways to combat the problem at present including the mini Holland cycling scheme.

Last year, funding was given from the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund to improve the Selborne Road area of Walthamstow where levels are high.

Nitrogen dioxide monitoring show that pollutant levels were exceeding the government’s hourly and annual mean objectives around the station, with the main pollution source being TfL buses.

Measure such as a ‘green wall’ and improved traffic signals will be purchased with the money.

Lea Bridge Station being brought back into use is also expected to cut levels with less people using cars and buses.