Clean the ‘toxic air’ on Tube, mayor hopeful tells Khan

A CONSERVATIVE hopeful for London mayor has told Sadiq Khan to fix the toxic air on the Tube instead of expanding the ultra-low emissions zone (Ulez).

Daniel Korski, a former Downing Street adviser to David Cameron turned tech entrepreneur, accused the Labour mayor of having a “political rather than a scientific agenda” by leaving two million people a day to breathe in harmful air on the London Underground.

King’s College London scientists found in 2019 that tiny particles from sources such as wheels, brake blocks and the grinding of wheels were so bad that commuters should avoid deeplevel routes such as the Victoria and Northern lines if they can.

Cambridge University found last year that the network is polluted with ultrafine metallic particles, a type of iron oxide called maghemite, which are small enough to end up in the human bloodstream owing to poor ventilation.

Despite Mr Khan arguing that toxic air is his main reason for expanding Ulez, some of the particles present on the Tube have been linked to cancer, dementia and cardiovascular disease.

Mr Korski said City Hall should focus on this and “junk” the Ulez rollout to all outer London boroughs in August, which is one of the most divisive rows to affect the capital in years.

“On the Underground, study after study has shown that there are really high levels of pollution and on some lines dangerously so,” Mr Korski said.

TfL and the mayor’s office have been contacted for comment.

Lilli Matson, TfL’s chief safety, health and environment officer, has said previously: “We periodically collect samples of Tube dust and analyse its content to track levels of potentially harmful materials, including iron, chromium and nickel. Analysis has shown that quantities of these materials are well below the legal limits in environments such as the Tube.”