EU moves to cut deadly diesel fumes

EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENT ministers have agreed on a big clean-up of traffic fumes to cut the growing number of deaths from asthma and other diseases linked to pollution.

Particulates, invisible specks of dirt found mainly in diesel smoke from heavy lorries, are to be cut by 30 per cent by 2000 and by a further 80 per cent on these standards by 2005. "Traps" will be fitted to exhausts, in line with many London buses, to take out the smallest particles of dirt, which can inflict the most damage on sensitive lungs. Ministers have been worried by figures showing that particulates in the UK accelerate the death of 10,000 people a year. The young and frail elderly, who suffer from respiratory problems, are especially vulnerable.

Other "nasties", oxides of nitrogen, are to be cut by 30 per cent by 2000 and reviewed in 2002, with a further 60-per-cent reduction by 2008. Hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are to be reduced by 30 per cent by 2000 and by a further 30 per cent by 2005. Ministers also agreed to compulsory labelling of all new cars, giving consumers clear information on fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

Last night Michael Meacher, the Environment Minister, said it was a "significant step" towards improving air quality.

But environmentalists said that unless the traffic volume went down, the effect of reducing fumes would be lost. John Moore-Gillon, chairman of the British Lung Foundation, commenting on yesterday's European Union environment ministers' meeting in Brussels, said the commitment recognised pollution "can kill and that action is needed to tackle it."

Mr Meacher said that over the next few years emissions would be cut dramatically, contributing to a healthier environment across Europe. "The new labelling scheme also agreed ... will give consumers instant access to environmental information on cars on sale in the showroom. These Europe-wide labels will give consumers a clear idea of a car's CO2 emissions and its fuel consumption - helping to show just how `green' their new car will be.

"The fundamental aim has been to secure the fitting of particulate traps to all vehicles from 2005. This is very important, because particulates are known to accelerate the death of 10,000 people a year. One is thinking of elderly people, babies, those with asthmatic conditions, and it is heavy goods vehicles that are responsible for more than half of all transport particulate emissions. So what this agreement means is there is a substantial reduction in the risk of death for thousands of people with vulnerable health."

Tony Bosworth, spokesman for Friends of the Earth, welcomed the news but said the Government had more work to do. "We are very pleased to hear Mr Meacher is still committed to traffic reduction. But he and his boss, John Prescott, need to do a bit more to convince the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer that reducing traffic levels is the way forward."