‘Eat out to help out’ scheme added to air pollution in London, study finds

The Guardian
The Guardian
22h ago 5 views
A study reveals that the UK's 'eat out to help out' scheme increased air pollution in London during its operation in 2020, despite efforts to reduce pollution.
‘Eat out to help out’ scheme added to air pollution in London, study finds
A What happened
A recent study from Imperial College London has found that the UK government's 'eat out to help out' scheme, which aimed to support the hospitality sector during the pandemic, also contributed to increased air pollution in London. The analysis revealed unusual peaks in air pollution that coincided with the scheme's operation in August 2020. Researchers noted that the pollution was linked to commercial cooking, with emissions peaking on evenings when the scheme was active. This pattern continued even after the scheme ended, suggesting a lasting impact on consumer behavior. The study emphasizes the need for regulators to address commercial kitchens as a significant source of urban air pollution, which has often been overlooked despite its known contribution to particle pollution.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Commercial cooking's pollution impact

    Commercial kitchens contribute significantly to urban air pollution.

  • 2

    Regulatory gaps identified

    Current regulations do not adequately address emissions from restaurants.

  • 3

    Need for emission control technology

    Technologies exist to reduce cooking-related emissions effectively.

Takeaways

The findings highlight the dual impact of the 'eat out to help out' scheme on public health and air quality, underscoring the need for regulatory action on commercial cooking emissions.

Topics

Food Public Health Pollution