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Costing the Earth

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Fresh ideas from the sharpest minds working toward a cleaner, greener planet

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Costing the Earth: The Diesel Decade

The Diesel Decade

26/08/2014

BBC Radio 4 - Costing the Earth, The Diesel Decade

How the rise in diesel cars may have damaged our health. Tom Heap investigates.

The number of diesel cars on our roads has massively increased in the last decade. Tom Heap reports on the unexpected impact on our health.

The air quality in our towns and cities has remained stubbornly filthy over the last ten years despite tightening regulations on the poisonous emissions our cars can legally belch out. That means more lung disease and more heart attacks.

New research is pointing the finger of suspicion at the dramatic rise in the number of diesel vehicles on our roads. Take a look at the data from car manufacturers and it seems that diesel engines are getting significantly cleaner. Independent monitoring suggests something very different- real cars driven in the real world can emit up to five times more of some pollutants than the manufacturers claim.

Tom Heap investigates the source of our pavement pollution and kicks off his campaign for cleaner air.

Producer: Alasdair Cross.

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