asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to promote further scientific research into the quantities of pollutant airborne particles per cubic centimetre of air in different parts of the United Kingdom and their effects on average life expectancy. [HL3151]

The department has recently published a £1.2 million call for proposals on the health effects of air pollution. The areas highlighted under the call include: the effects of long-term exposure to air pollutants on cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity; the population groups most susceptible to the effects of air pollution on diseases such as heart disease; and linking potential mechanisms for toxicity and measurement metrics with epidemiological effects of fine particles on life expectancy.

In addition, the department's committee on the medical effects of air pollutants advises the UK health departments on the effects on health of both outdoor and indoor air pollutants on the basis of data currently available. It also assesses the need for further research and liaises as necessary with other government bodies to assess the effects of exposure and associated risks to human health.

We also understand that the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, both of which are research centres under the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), are especially involved in particulates research and their effects on human health.

In addition, a joint environment and human health programme will strengthen the UK's capacity for multidisciplinary studies into environment and human health issues. This three-year programme is supported by NERC, the Environment Agency, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, the Economic and Social Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Health Protection Agency.