A new analysis exposes that illegal diesel emissions from the Dieselgate scandal have caused 16,000 premature deaths and 30,000 cases of childhood asthma in the UK, costing £96 billion. With the government's delayed response contrasting with stronger US actions, legal challenges against car manufacturers are growing as experts warn of thousands more lives at risk without immediate intervention.
A new analysis reveals the extensive public health fallout from diesel emissions in the UK, attributing 16,000 premature deaths and 30,000 cases of childhood asthma to illegal emissions linked to the infamous 'Dieselgate' scandal. This situation has culminated in staggering health and economic costs, estimated at £96 billion, along with a hefty burden of 800,000 days lost to sickness. The findings, reported by Damian Carrington, underscore a pressing need for government intervention to mitigate these alarming statistics.
Despite the potential for significant regulatory action, the UK government's response has been notably lacklustre compared to its counterparts in the United States. Although authorities have held the legal power to impose fines or enforce vehicle recalls since 2021, substantial investigations into the implicated car models only commenced in 2024. This inaction stands in stark contrast to American measures, which successfully held manufacturers accountable through robust penalties. Consequently, nearly two million consumers in the UK are now poised to take legal action against 18 automotive companies, reflecting a growing frustration among the public regarding corporate accountability for their health impacts.
Experts emphasise that without immediate government action, an estimated 6,000 additional premature deaths may occur. Jamie Kelly from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air noted, “Our calculations reveal the widespread and devastating health impacts of excessive diesel emissions – thousands of lives cut short, countless children developing asthma, and an immense burden of chronic illness.” This sentiment echoes broader findings that vehicle pollution accounts for nearly 19% of new childhood asthma cases annually in the UK, particularly in urban areas such as London and Manchester where nitrogen dioxide emissions are particularly concentrated.
The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs has previously classified the air quality crisis as a national health emergency, with studies indicating that vehicle emissions contribute to around 40,000 premature deaths in the UK each year. This prompts calls for more ambitious government initiatives, including the possibility of accelerating the proposed 2040 ban on conventional diesel and petrol vehicles to match the 2030 targets of other nations.
The broader implications of diesel pollution resonate even further, with research indicating potential links to metabolic diseases. Notably, the 'Ditch Diesel' campaign—a grassroots initiative led by concerned parents—advocates for urgent reform, calling for the recall of diesel vehicles outfitted with defeat devices and for the establishment of a major fund to combat car-manufacturers' pollution impact. Campaigners argue that transparency and accountability are crucial as they press for stronger regulations to safeguard public health, especially that of vulnerable populations like children.
The shadow of the 'Dieselgate' scandal has loomed large, driven home by the tragic story of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, the first person in the UK to have air pollution listed as a cause of death. Her case stands as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for effective policy changes aimed at protecting public health from the lurking dangers of vehicle emissions. As new evidence mounts, it is clear that the need for decisive action is more pressing than ever, lest future generations bear the brunt of today's inaction.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent findings on the health impacts of diesel emissions in the UK, with a publication date of May 29, 2025. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is April 10, 2019, when The Guardian reported that vehicle pollution results in 4 million child asthma cases annually. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/10/vehicle-pollution-results-in-4m-child-asthma-cases-a-year?utm_source=openai)) The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the narrative includes updated data, such as the £96 billion health and economic costs and 800,000 days lost to sickness, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The report also mentions that nearly two million UK consumers are pursuing legal action against 18 automakers, reflecting a growing frustration among the public regarding corporate accountability for their health impacts. This development is recent and not found in earlier publications. Therefore, the freshness score is 8.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes a direct quote from Jamie Kelly of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air: “Our calculations reveal the widespread and devastating health impacts of excessive diesel emissions – thousands of lives cut short, countless children developing asthma, and an immense burden of chronic illness.” A search reveals that this quote is unique to this report, with no earlier matches found. This suggests that the quote is original or exclusive content. Therefore, the quotes check score is 9.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from Environmental Health News (EHN), an online publication focusing on environmental health issues. While EHN provides in-depth coverage of environmental health topics, it is not as widely recognised as major outlets like the BBC or The Guardian. Therefore, the source reliability score is 7.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents plausible claims regarding the health impacts of diesel emissions in the UK, citing specific figures such as 16,000 premature deaths and 30,000 cases of childhood asthma. These figures align with previous studies linking vehicle pollution to health issues. For instance, a 2019 study estimated that vehicle pollution results in 4 million child asthma cases annually. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/10/vehicle-pollution-results-in-4m-child-asthma-cases-a-year?utm_source=openai)) The report also mentions that nearly two million UK consumers are pursuing legal action against 18 automakers, reflecting a growing frustration among the public regarding corporate accountability for their health impacts. This development is recent and not found in earlier publications. Therefore, the plausibility check score is 8.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents recent and plausible findings on the health impacts of diesel emissions in the UK, with original quotes and a source that, while not as widely recognised as major outlets, provides in-depth coverage of environmental health topics. The inclusion of recent developments, such as the legal actions against automakers, adds to the credibility of the report. Therefore, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.
