This study, led by Professor Frank Kelly of King’s College London is part of US Heath Effect Institute’s research program to measure the possible health outcomes associated with actions taken to improve air quality. The report describes research undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of studying changes in air quality and health associated with the introduction of the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ). The LEZ came into effect in 2008 and restricts entry of older, more polluting vehicles into Greater London. Professor Kelly and colleagues conducted emissions and exposure modeling to estimate the projected effects of LEZ implementation. They also assessed the feasibility of using medical records from private practices to evaluate the relationships between exposure to traffic and indicators of respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

The HEI’s Review Committee concluded that the LEZ baseline study was a creative effort to lay the groundwork for studying spatial and temporal changes in air pollutant concentrations and health outcomes in advance of a major regulatory intervention. It provides important lessons for future research into the health outcomes of actions to improve air quality.

Professor Kelly, said:"The London Low Emission Zone is a world leading traffic intervention scheme aimed at restricting entry of the most polluting vehicles into London and thereby improving air quality and the health of Londoners. Our evaluation of the initial phase of the LEZ has demonstrated its feasibility to achieve improved air quality. We are now eager to extend this work following the implementation of the long awaited phase 3 of the LEZ in January 2012.

Item date 15/12/2011