London's pollution 'worst in Europe'

London may be the most polluted city in Europe, according to the man responsible for monitoring the capital's air.

Professor Frank Kelly believes that in terms of size and traffic density, London's "invisible" pollution problems are more serious than Paris, Berlin and perhaps even Athens.

He claims this is because Paris and Berlin both have good public transport, while Athens, despite its problems with summer ozone, has lower levels of traffic-generated particulate dust than London.

Professor Kelly heads a new 35-strong local authority-funded London Air Pollution, Health and Research Group, soon to be based at King's College. As well as recording the capital's air quality with 55 roadside monitors, the group will provide a unique "pollution by postcode" website.

The researchers are also trying to determine the effects of air pollution by exposing Swedish volunteers to diesel fumes similar to levels found in Oxford Street.

Professor Kelly said: "We use Swedish volunteers because generally their lungs are cleaner than ours. We have discovered noticeable changes to the lungs but we still can't say what the long-term effect on health will be."

Government scientists estimate there are between 12,000 and 24,000 premature deaths a year in Britain as a result of air pollution. Professor Kelly disputes ministers' claims that air quality has improved as a result of cleaner fuels and catalytic converters. "If anything, with more cars on the road than ever pollution is getting worse," he said.

Latest figures show Bloomsbury has exceeded pollution guidelines 45 times so far this year, Swiss Cottage 13 times, Ladbroke Grove 12 times and Upper Street, Islington, eight times.