HC Deb 20 November 2003 vol 413 cc1408-9W
Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the(a) mortality and (b) morbidity caused by smog (i) in England and (ii) broken down by local authority area in each year (A) since 1997 and (B) to 2006. [139186]

Miss Melanie Johnson

Estimates of numbers of deaths brought forward and respiratory hospital admissions associated with air pollution in England for certain years between 1997 and 2002 are shown in the table. These are based on the methodology published in the 1998 report by the Department's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants—"Quantification of the Effects of Air Pollution on Health in the United Kingdom"–updated for more recent pollution levels. A projection to 2005 is also given.

Estimates exclude effects of particles on cardiovascular admissions and effects on life expectancy as a result of long term exposure to particles. It is unclear whether the results for different pollutants can be added together.

Estimates for deaths brought forward and respiratory hospital admissions for ozone are not available for the requested time period.

Estimates are not available by local authority area. The uncertainties will increase when estimates are based on smaller areas.