Source: Mirror.co.uk

AIR pollution cuts nearly seven months off our life expectancy, a study reveals.

People living near major roads in cities come off worst, losing up to 8.7 months of life.

Those in rural areas suffer far less, with life expectancy reduced by five-and-a-half months.

A major drive to reduce the impact of pollution - which contributes to 33,000 premature deaths each year - is to be announced after the election.

Dr Michael Krzyzanowski, of the World Health Organisation, said pollution-related ill health costs the UK between £4.8billion and £14.3billion a year. He added: "On average the loss of life is 6.9 months, though in other countries it is considerably higher.

"If anything, Britain is one of the leading countries with regard to research and pollution management, but obviously more can always be done."

Nearly 10 times as many people die each year from breathing contaminated air than from road accidents.

The Government is committed to bringing the life expectancy lost by pollution down to 4.9 months by 2010.

More than 90 per cent of early deaths are caused by tiny particulates causing heart failure.

They are emitted by traffic - particularly diesels - industry and domestic heating.

Others are due to respiratory diseases caused by ozone, produced when sunlight reacts with pollutants from vehicle exhausts. About 310,000 Europeans a year die, with life expectancy cut by 8.7 months. Treating diseases caused by pollution costs Europe £110billion.

WHO and the European Commission are working on the Clean Air for Europe initiative.