A new analysis by researchers at Imperial College London estimates that deaths linked to air pollution in London fall by about 40% over the five years from 2019. The findings attribute the change to improvements associated with London’s air-quality policies, including the ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ), which reduces pollution from road traffic. The analysis also suggests that air pollution has a larger health impact than previously understood, indicating that earlier estimates may have underestimated risks.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan responds positively to the research, saying there is “overwhelming evidence” that the ULEZ is saving lives. Multiple outlets report that the study informs the debate around expanding and maintaining the scheme, linking the policy to measurable public-health outcomes.
The reports describe the study as an estimate rather than a direct count of deaths, and they focus on the scale and health significance of air pollution changes in London over the period studied.
