London Underground dust could cause serious infections such as pneumonia to those working in the tunnels according to a groundbreaking study, and it’s particularly prevalent at Elephant and Castle.
Published in the Lancet, the study is the first to assess the extent to which particulate matter (PM) from underground stations increases the risk of contracting clinically-recognised conditions.
A completely separate report issued by TFL in October 2021 found that the highest concentration of PM, across 24 different London underground stations, was on Elephant and Castle’s Platform 2, southbound Northern line.
TFL has said they have developed a “number of innovative cleaning regimes” and that dust levels on the tube remain well below limits set by the Health and Safety Executive, the government agency responsible for workplace health regulation.
Speaking to the News, Professor Jonathan Grigg, who led the Queen Mary University of London research team in the study of the dangers of underground station dust, said their findings could trigger “a change in attitudes”.
He said: “What our paper shows is that the dust is not just a nuisance, an irritant that gets in your nose and eyes. It can cause problems.
“If you’re just commuting transiently the risk is not very high but it could be if you’ve got occupational exposure.”
PM increases the risk of pneumococcal infections by making the airways stickier and more susceptible to infection.
Professor Grigg said it was “another reason” to wear a mask, and that TFL should continue investing in their cleaning systems and underground ventilation.
He said the high concentration of PM in Elephant and Castle station was likely due to its depth which makes ventilation less effective.
The TFL report said that dust in Elephant and Castle Station had “showed a slight increase” since the last test, over a year earlier.
Underground station PM differs from traffic-related dust because it is from the mechanical wear of train components such as wheels and brake blocks.
Professor Grigg suggested that TFL could introduce a system where passengers are made aware of the risk posed by PM on different underground routes.
Lilli Matson, TFL’s Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer said: “Our monitoring has shown that dust levels on the tube remain well below the limits set by the Health and Safety Exectuive, but we are going further and have developed a number of innovative new cleaning regimes. This includes the use of industrial backpack dust cleaners, which are one part of our multi-million pound tube cleaning programme.
“We are working closely with Queen Mary University London to review the results of their study, in addition to working with other leading academics such as Imperial Colelge London, to ensure we fully understand the possible health risks associated with dust on the tube.”