§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that the health risks from vehicle exhausts are any greater than those alleged from "passive smoking".
§ Baroness CumberlegeToxic components of vehicle exhausts are dispersed in surrounding air. During stable weather conditions, pollutants can accumulate4WA to levels sufficient to aggravate symptoms in some susceptible groups such as those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. The hazards of carbon monoxide in exhaust from petrol engines in confined spaces is well documented, although the introduction of catalytic converters on new cars largely removes this and other pollutants.
As well as the irritant properties of environmental tobacco smoke, exposure to other people's tobacco smoke, or "passive smoking" is associated with around 300 lung cancer deaths every year and, according to the Royal College of Physicians' report, Smoking and the Young (a copy of which is in the Library), is believed to be responsible for the admission to hospital of up to 50 children every day.
There are, however, insufficient data available to allow a clear assessment of whether motor vehicle exhausts pose a greater risk to health than passive smoking and the Government are actively seeking to reduce health risks from both sources of pollution.