The Oslo Effect – a silent killer

Sir, – I refer to “The Irish Times view on the EPA report on air pollution: action must be accelerated” (September 26th) which rightly highlights the lethal effect on health of polluted air resulting from the “burning of fossil fuels . . . 2,600 deaths, attributed to air pollution, are reported this year by the Irish Heart Foundation and the British Health Foundation NI on the island (costing millions)”.

However, rarely if ever, is there mention of the “Oslo Effect”, known as the “air pollution silent killer” in the US and other countries.

In brief, the Oslo Effect is the microscopic dust, ie tiny particles (PM2.5 + PM10) created by the wear and tear of car, bus and truck rubber tyres on roads, the wear and tear of road surfaces and the fine particles resulting from the grinding of brake linings. The Oslo Effect is an extremely lethal combination of invisible particles, greater than tail-pipe emissions, causing lung function damage to children, the elderly and those with existing medical conditions when inhaled and, arguably a major environmental menace, threatening biodiversity and ecosystems across Ireland. Of the key pollution components, ie particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide, ozone and nitrogen dioxide, PM suspended in the air to heights of seven to eight metres, affects more people than the other components and also affects motorists sitting in their cars. It is a pollutant contributor to asthma, coronary artery disease, stroke and heart attacks, causing more deaths than alcohol and obesity combined in the UK.

Oslo Effect particle emissions from the wear and tear of vehicle rubber tyres, brake linings and road surfaces are far greater than their tail pipe emissions and no doubt vehicle manufacturers will not want to be reminded that the electric vehicle (EV) with its heavier battery is no silver bullet as due to its extra weight, 20 per cent plus, it produces more wear and tear and microscopic dust particle matter (PM). There is anecdotal evidence that EV tyres replacement is greater than on conventional vehicles. Although EVs have no tailpipe emissions, it is hoped and vital that their saved emissions are not passed on to power plants. With the ongoing growth of roads, cars, buses and trucks the Oslo Effect cause of deaths will also grow.

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The Oslo Effect is the elephant in the room of transport air pollution in urban areas and has not been highlighted or stressed by our health and environmental guardians which is greatly remiss and careless.

Some solutions to Oslo Effect may be reformation of road surfaces, tyres, brake pads and lighter vehicles. However, a more impactful solution would be the introduction of light rail to our cities as proposed, for example, by the Gluas Committee in Galway. Light rail trams, steel on steel, have no polluting emission at the point of operation. Across Europe they are common, effective and a favourable mode of transport showing beyond doubt a modal shift from cars to light rail of up to 32 per cent. It is proven that people do not leave their cars for buses but do for light rail where available. Light rail is efficient, comfortable, on time, environmentally, street and user friendly and a solution not only for pollution but also chronic traffic congestion in our cities, Galway particularly. It is interesting to note that historical horse-drawn city transport, with its sizeable residue of horse manure and urine discharge on streets was superseded by light-rail trams which cleaned our streets and equine polluted air.

Light rail, if installed in our cities, can again challenge the Oslo Effect. – Yours, etc,

MURT COLEMAN,

Mount Merrion,

Co Dublin.