The Green Party said the Government must take "urgent action" to reduce the use of cars after research has found tiny particles taken into the brain through air pollution could be linked to diseases like Alzheimer's [1].
Caroline Russell, Green Party transport spokesperson and London Assembly member, said: “David Reynolds of Alzheimer's Research UK rightly points out the links between exposure to air pollution and developing Alzheimer's need further research.
“However we already know that air pollution from vehicle exhaust is killing thousands of us every year from lung and respiratory conditions. If pollution from vehicles and catalytic converters is getting in to our brains and leaving metal particle deposits that may lead to Alzheimer's disease then that makes Government action to reduce the use of polluting cars, lorries and vans all the more urgent.
"This should be an opportunity to do transport differently and to release us from dependence on car ownership for our daily journeys. The writing has been on the wall for car travel for a while and this latest research is further evidence to prompt us all to cut car use and support investment in public transport, walking and cycling rather than widening polluting roads."
Notes:
1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37276219