Air Pollution: Pregnancy

(asked on 4th February 2022) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to mitigate the impact of poor air quality on pregnant women.


Answered by
Jo Churchill Portrait
Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This question was answered on 14th February 2022

The Clean Air Strategy sets out the measures we are taking forward to reduce emissions of air pollutants from many sectors. In line with our duty in our landmark Environment Act, we will set a target to reduce concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) alongside a further long-term population exposure reduction target. This dual-target approach will tackle the highest concentrations and ensure continuous improvement across the country for all citizens, including pregnant women and new-born children.

We continue to work with local authorities to deliver legal levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), supported by £880 million of funding to develop and implement local air quality plans. This Government is also taking action across transport by supporting the switch to electric vehicles with £2.8 billion of investment, and £2 billion in funding for cycling and walking over this Parliament.

We are undertaking a comprehensive review of how we communicate air quality information to ensure that the public and vulnerable groups have what they need protect themselves and understand their impact on air quality.

Reticulating Splines