Hayfever made worse by diesel fumes
Hay fever is increasingly being caused by pollen spread by the exhaust fumes from diesel-powered vehicles, a study has found.
Traffic congestion is worsening the effect of so-called “urban hayfever”, which affects up to 60 per cent of city dwellers.
According to Dr Adrian Morris, an allergy expert: “The pollen attaches itself to the heavy exhaust particles from diesel cars which are particularly adept at carrying it deep into airways.”
Traditionally it was hay that pollen would bind itself to but in urban areas today it is diesel exhaust residue from cars.
Diesel accounts for 40 per cent of new cars sold, and the new system of CO2 emissions-based vehicle excise duty the problem is increasing rapidly.
A spokesperson at the Environmental Transport Association said: “There is a popular belief that due to their lower average CO2 emissions, diesels are better for the planet. Unfortunately it appears that it is people, particularly those in built-up areas, that are paying the price.”
The ETA this week responded to the government’s failure to tackle congestion by highlighting the environmental cost of slow moving and stationary traffic. Read our letter in The Times here
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The ETA is a not-for-profit ethical organisation providing motorists with carbon-neutral breakdown cover and insurance products. As well as encouraging responsible driving to reduce carbon, the ETA campaigns for sustainable transport.
