Building Activities Should Stop: Risks Of Air Pollution Reassessed.

13 March 2019. Now that recent scientific publications indicate that health risks from dirty air are much more serious than was assumed, a reassessment of building norms has become urgent. Many road construction and infrastructure projects must be halted until this has taken place. Public health should not be bargained with.

Measurements of local air pollution, among other things are taken into account each time a development plan is being determined. A council has the obligation to protect public health, and will refuse permission if certain values are exceeded.

Now it turns out that the measured amounts of air pollution would probably not increase by much, but that the risks posed by these quantities is actually double of what was previously assumed! So, if a development plan initially passed the dirty air assessment, it now appears to be a serious health threat indeed for citizens.

Research published by the European Heart Journal, indicates that the number of deaths related to air pollution in Europe is twice as high as was previously assumed: 800.000 instead of 400.000! It is a perfect example of gaining insight.

Politicians and planners consequently have the obligation to halt projects, reassess, and, if necessary, adapt their ambitions. Concerned citizens will point to the scientific findings, and can claim legal support to insure that these are taken into account in determination, and appeal procedures.

Link to The Guardian of 12 March 2019:
www.theguardian.com/environment

Link to the research publication by the European Heart Journal:
academic.oup.com/eurheartj