BRITAIN is gasping for breath from toxic gases produced by cars and

lorries, according to a study published today.

The environmental group Greenpeace says that tougher MoT tests and the

fitting of catalytic converters are not enough to halt the problem.

The study says 19 million people are in danger of disease or death

from emissions.

The report, Gasping for Breath, claims a drastic cut-back in the

number of petrol and diesel driven vehicles is needed, with improved

public transport and better monitoring of pollution by the Government.

The survey was conducted in England only, because of difficulties in

obtaining data from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

It said the following groups were in danger: children up to the age of

14, with children up to five especially at risk; people with asthma;

other respiratory disease sufferers; those with cardiovascular disease;

people over 65; pregnant women and unborn babies.

Charlie Kronick, Greenpeace traffic campaigner, said: ''The quickest

way to clean up the air is to cut traffic but the Government responds to

this crisis by building more roads.''

The study recommends that standards be set for all controlled

pollutants to protect human health, and that World Health Organisation

guidelines on ozone should be adopted.