UK suffering air pollution ‘crisis’

Today, ten electric taxis will hit the streets (Wednesday, 3rd July) fitted with unique patented Nano-carbon filtration technology  which removes up to 97% of particulate matter (PM2.5) and up to 95% of nitrogen dioxide (NO2)inside the vehicle within 10 minutes, resulting in cleaner air for those travelling in the taxi.

Both drivers and passengers using these cabs will see a vast reduction in nitrogen dioxide concentrations, which were found to be up to 20 times above the safe threshold in the capital, according to research from Airlabs, the world’s leading pioneers in clean air technology.

Produced in collaboration with Barclays, as part of its work to back UK SMEs and entrepreneurs, the project will prove why this kind of technology is needed in the country’s worst hit areas.

Surprisingly, air quality in general within taxis was found to be 2.5 times worse to breathe in compared to air outside, and with summer upon us, pollution levels will only rise further as temperatures increase. Which is why this filtration technology, created by Airlabs, is so vital.

The ten cities and towns found to have the highest levels of unsafe Nitrogen Dioxide were: Hafod-yr-ynys (Caerphilly), London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stoke-on-Trent, Chepstow, Belfast, Bath, Bradford and Oxford.

Johnny spoke to Matthew Johnson, Chief Science Officer at Airlabs: