Invisible Threats: How Air Pollution Affects Our Health

Have you ever wondered about the quality of the air you’re breathing? For those with asthma or other respiratory conditions, it might be a daily concern. But air quality affects everyone, and poor air quality is linked to approximately 7 million premature deaths worldwide each year.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly all of us are breathing air that exceeds safe pollutant levels.

While air quality has improved in some regions, many areas still face dangerously high pollution levels. At Haze Environmental Ltd, our focus is on addressing these issues, making an impact where it’s needed most.

How Safe Is the Air We Breathe?

As you sit here, your brain is signalling your diaphragm to contract and your ribs to expand. Air passes through your trachea, sustaining your life. Yet, this essential act of breathing can also expose us to harmful pollutants. The very air we depend on can become a source of harm.

Why It Matters

Poor air quality is a major public health risk. Prolonged exposure to polluted air is strongly linked to asthma, certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. In 2020, air pollution was cited on a UK death certificate for the first time, highlighting its devastating potential.

Studies show that poor air quality disproportionately affects individuals from lower socio-economic groups, exacerbating health inequalities. Since air pollution is often caused by burning fossil fuels, it also has a direct link to carbon emissions and climate change. The UK and many other nations have made binding commitments to reduce both carbon emissions and air pollution.

Air quality is currently a critical topic. According to WHO, nearly 7 million deaths annually are linked to air pollution, making it the world’s largest environmental health threat. The effects are especially pronounced for children, who may experience stunted lung development and cognitive impacts.

One tragic case was that of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, a young girl who lived near London’s South Circular Road. Ella’s death in 2013 following an asthma attack was the first in the UK where air pollution was officially recorded as a contributing factor. The inquest revealed that her family was unaware of the risks posed by local pollution levels. This landmark decision underscores the need for greater public awareness and action. Imagine if the same effort put into anti-smoking campaigns was applied to raising awareness of air pollution’s dangers.

What Is Air Quality?

Air quality refers to how clean or polluted the air we breathe is. When air quality is poor, pollutants can pose short- and long-term health risks. As a parent, I understand the concerns of caregivers and healthcare professionals who strive to protect children and vulnerable individuals from these risks.

In the UK, the planning system plays a vital role in improving air quality and reducing exposure to pollution. Local planning policies and individual planning applications are key tools for managing air quality. The main pollutants of concern in the UK are nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM₁₀), both primarily produced by road traffic. These pollutants frequently exceed the UK’s Air Quality Strategy targets.

The problem with air pollution is that it’s often invisible. You could walk down a busy road without realising the air you’re breathing may be harmful, especially if you have underlying health conditions. This is where consultants like me step in – predicting and evaluating the air quality impacts of developments such as new roads or housing projects, and assessing their effects on sensitive receptors like homes, schools, and care facilities.

More Needs to Be Done

The latest WHO air quality guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations to protect public health by setting limits for specific pollutants. These guidelines reflect the ongoing threat of air pollution. However, meeting these new standards will be challenging, particularly in cities like London, where pollution levels remain over four times higher than recommended.

Are We Doing Enough?

It is an exciting time to work in the field of air quality. Public awareness and perception of air pollution have grown significantly in recent years. While the UK has seen improvements through cleaner technology, behaviour changes, and initiatives like Clean Air Zones, some areas still exceed legal limits.

To make meaningful progress, we need to:

  • Move beyond mere compliance with air quality objectives.
  • Increase air quality monitoring efforts.
  • Standardise air quality assessments.
  • Regularly re-evaluate air quality policies and practices.

Final Thoughts

Air quality is a fundamental public health issue that intersects with climate change, social justice, and urban development. Addressing it requires a collective effort from governments, businesses, and individuals. At Haze Environmental Ltd, we are committed to raising awareness, providing expert guidance, and contributing to a future where clean air is a right, not a privilege.