THE SDLP’s Sinéad McLaughlin has repeated calls for government ministers to urgently tackle Derry’s dirty air problem in the run up to this year’s National Clean Air Day.
Said the Foyle MLA: “Air pollution is a serious threat to life expectancy and good health. It must be taken more seriously.
“This Clean Air Day I am renewing my call on the environment minister to urgently progress the Clean Air Strategy and introduce a smoky coal ban.
“We must move faster towards cleaner energy sources and this requires decisive action from the economy minister as well.
“While it is a largely invisible killer, dirty air significantly impacts upon the health outcomes of many people in Derry.
“It is linked to many respiratory diseases, including bronchitis and asthma, and is causing over 500 premature deaths in the North every year.
“It is also important to have clean air indoors, particularly with the ongoing pandemic.
“I would therefore, once again, urge the education minister to introduce HEPA filters in all classrooms to help protect our children from Covid-19 infection.
“My SDLP colleague Nichola Mallon used her time as infrastructure minister to help cut traffic related air pollution by procuring fleets of zero emission buses.
“It is vital that we see the same level of commitment to tackling dirty air from our current ministers.”
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