London Tube Air Pollution
Request ID: FOI-3288-1819
Date published: 14 March 2019
You asked
I am a graphic design student at the Arts University Bournemouth, doing research into the use of algae farms to purify air in urban environments.
I have recently read an article in the guardian about particle pollution in the London underground being 30 times higher than that above ground. The article mentions more research was needed to discover the toxicity of the pollution.
I am enquiring to see if the research into tube station pollution toxicity was available to the public, as I could not find the correct categories to find research like this on the TFL website. Any help you can offer will be very much appreciated and will be acknowledged accordingly.
We answered
Our ref: FOI-3288-1819/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 28 February 2019 asking for information about research into pollution.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
The Guardian article you refer to can be viewed here:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jan/09/london-underground-air-pollution-report-concerns-northern-line-particulates
Please see the link below which will provide you with the report we commissioned the Government’s Committee On the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) to do on our behalf, from which the Guardian newspaper misreports the air pollutants underground being a factor of 30 higher than above ground. This will provide you with the context and access to the statement and working papers as part of the statement:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/particulate-air-pollution-on-london-underground-health-effects
It will also show you the research recommendations COMEAP make. Note this is research still to be undertaken, but that used to support the statement is included in the link above.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
Back to top
