Health Advice
Key Points:
- Pollution levels in the UK are unlikely to cause any serious health effects in most people.
- Young children, the elderly and those who suffer from respiratory problems such as lung disease, asthma or bronchitis may be more sensitive to air pollution.
- The Government's Air Quality Bands describe the health impact of varying levels of pollution on these sensitive individuals.
- Health advice is available from Defra's Air Pollution Information Service.
For most people, pollution levels in the UK are unlikely to cause any serious health effect;
during particularly severe pollution episodes, eye irritation or coughing may be triggered. Certain sensitive individuals
who are more susceptible to respiratory pollution may feel the effects more acutely, or at lower levels. These individuals
include those who suffer from heart and lung disease, including asthma and bronchitis, especially young children and the elderly.
Pollution bulletins produced in
Ealing Council
are based on the Government's
Air Pollution Banding system. These bands have been set using the latest research on the medical effects of air pollution
on health and are intended to make air quality information more meaningful.
The table below shows the four bands and their impact on the health of people
who are sensitive to air pollution:
| Pollution Band (Index) |
Health Impact |
| Low (1-3) |
Effects are unlikely to be noticed, even by people who know they are sensitive to air pollution. |
| Moderate (4-6) |
Mild effects are unlikely to require action, but may be noticed by sensitive people. |
| High (7-9) |
Sensitive people may notice significant effects, and may have to take action to reduce or avoid them (for example,
by reducing time spend outdoors). Asthmatics will find that their 'reliever' inhaler is likely to reverse the effects of pollution on their lungs. |
| Very High (10) |
The effects on sensitive people, described for 'high' levels of pollution, may worsen. |
Actual effects will, of course, vary from person to person, and individuals will learn from experience how they are affected by pollution. The Government has issued the following guidelines to sensitive individuals. These guidelines are taken from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (Defra's) Air Pollution Information Service:
|
Health advice for people with lung disorders and others sensitive to air pollution
|
| If you have asthma or another lung disease, your
symptoms are unlikely to change when air pollution levels are 'low' or
'moderate'. This applies whatever the time of year.
However, your symptoms may get worse when air pollution
reaches the 'high' or 'very high' bands, especially if you are elderly. If
this happens and you suffer from asthma, you may need to change your treatment
in the usual way. If this doesn't help, consult your doctor.
|
| Asthma
There is little evidence that air pollution itself
causes asthma. However, if you already have asthma, you may find that
air pollution triggers an attack, although infections and allergens are
more likely to do so.
|
| Smoking
Smoking is likely to have a much more serious effect
on your health than air pollution. Giving up smoking will cut down your
risk of lung and heart disease considerably. It will also make you less
vulnerable to the short-term effects of air pollution.
|
| In winter
If traffic fumes make breathing harder, avoid busy
streets as much as you can. If you are elderly, stay indoors as much as
possible and keep warm.
|
In summer
If you find it harder to breathe on hot sunny days,
avoid energetic outdoor activities, especially in the afternoons when
pollution levels tend to be higher. If your child has asthma, they should
be able to take part in games as normal, but they may need to use their
reliever inhaler more before they start. They do not need to stay away
from school.
Source: Defra Information Service
|
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