AIR POLLUTION AND POLICY - 1952-2002

摘要

While the 1952 Smog triggered necessary action on the control of pollution arising from coal use in the UK, it could be argued that its very severity - which gave momentum to the controls - resulted in other sources and pollution problems not being given the attention they might have deserved. As an illustration of the influence of the smogs and their aftermath on thinking, it is worth quoting from a book co-authored by a former chairman of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, an organisation not necessarily noted for its unquestioning acceptance of Government policy; this stated, as recently as 1981: 'a pound spent on the abatement of smoke and sulphur dioxide... would be a better investment in the nation's health than a pound spent on the abatement of carbon monoxide or lead from automobiles'. We have nonetheless progressed to a position where traffic pollution in our major cities - particularly in London - is now the major air quality problem and is recognised as such by the public at large. The major issue for the future, however, will be the extent to which further measures to reduce emissions will command public acceptability. Technological solutions involving "zero emission" vehicles (at point of use) such as those using fuel cells clearly have a major role to play in alleviating air quality problems, but these on their own will not solve the problems of congestion and other issues. These current problems are much more complex than those faced in the 1950s, where the public desire to continue using coal was considerably weaker than the desire of the public today to use motor vehicles. It is important that we learn the lessons from events such as the Smog, but look forward, remembering that fifty years ago it would have been inconceivable to entertain the existence of adverse health effects at levels of air pollution which we today consider unacceptable. Equally, policy development will have to take account of society's increasing expectations for environmental quality in its broadest sense, including quality of life issues. We need to keep our minds open to new evidence which emerges from scientific, medical and social research in recognising potential problems early, and formulating appropriate future policies for air quality.