Members of the public have until February 2 to share their experiences of air pollution in Hammersmith and Fulham.

The resident-led Air Quality Commission was set up in August by the council after it revealed pollution claims the lives of more than 200 in the borough each year.

Members of the public have been sharing their experience and submitting evident to the commission, which is led chaired by former Hammersmith Society chairman Rosemary Pettit .

'Silent killer'

Council leader Stephen Cowan said: “Air pollution is a silent killer and we’re determined to tackle the problem in Hammersmith & Fulham.

“This resident-led commission will gather the evidence needed to help everyone in H&F breath cleaner air.”

Nearly one in seven deaths (15%) in the borough are caused by nitrogen dioxide air pollution – the eighth highest level in London according to King’s College London. A further 8.1% of deaths per year are caused by small particulate matter.

A report last year by hfcyclists, the Hammersmith & Fulham branch of the London Cycling Campaign, showed pollution in the borough was much worse than previously thought - with youngsters bearing the brunt.

Tests carried out at notorious traffic hot spots at Hammersmith Gyratory and Shepherd’s Bush Green showed pollution detectors were placed three metres high, meaning much of the poisonous fumes dissipated before reaching it.

As a result, readings at three metres gave lower concentrations levels of air pollution than actually experienced by people, with levels up to 30% higher at pushchair height.

To comment on how how air quality affects your life and the lives of other people you know contact Peter Smith on peter.smith@lbhf.gov.uk or write to him at Room 139, Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, London, W6 9JU.