LETTER: AIR POLLUTION

GEOFFREY LEAN'S timely article on air pollution made sober reading. However, I am concerned with his assertion that "the motor car has finally replaced coal as the main polluter". Like most other writers on pollution he makes no reference to the pollution caused by aircraft.

Each day, from Heathrow alone, dozens of heavily laden aircraft claw their way into the sky burning tons of fuel as they do so. Their exhaust products must carpet the surrounding areas for many square miles.

Over the past 44 years the growth of air traffic must at least rival that of the motor car. A comparison of the rise in the production of aircraft fuel and motor fuel over this period would be most informative. I understand that particulate carbon pollution has been found in remote areas of the Lake District and north Wales - places where low-flying fighter aircraft practice. Is this a coincidence?

John H Taylor

Leamington Spa