SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin
She was speaking in response to the publication of the Air Quality report for 2020.
This revealed that the monitoring station in Derry’s Brandywell has consistently exceeded the UK government’s air quality threshold for dangerous hydrocarbons – B[a]P, or benzo[a]pyrene.
The Derry site shows concentrations more than twice the guidelines specified in the UK Air Quality Strategy.
Said the Foyle MLA: “These hydrocarbons are extremely dangerous and are recognised internationally as connected to the development of cancers.
“It is essential that action is taken to strengthen the law to improve air quality.
“The onus for doing this lies with the agriculture and environment minister Edwin Poots, who must introduce stronger regulations to control airborne pollution.
“I will be challenging minister Poots to take stronger action to address the problems with air quality.
“So-called B[a]Ps are produced from the burning of solid fuels and some industrial processes.
“Dangerous hydrocarbons are also found in vehicle emissions and cigarette smoke.
“Animal experiments conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer found these hydrocarbons cause tumours.
“There is clearly an association between poor air quality in areas of Derry with the high incidence of ill-health in the city.
“I am also very unhappy that the report indicates a lack of progress in dealing with poor air quality related to vehicle emissions at Derry’s Dale Corner junction, which we know will also negatively impact the health of the local population.”
