photo: garryknight

4,300 people die in London every year because of air pollution.

Air pollution is associated with a myriad of health problems including:

• Respiratory diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis
• Heart disease
• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Premature births and low birth weight
• Impaired lung development in children

The health problems caused by air pollution are known to have a disproportionate impact on children, the elderly, low income groups and ethnic minorities.

Children are more susceptible to the damaging effects of air pollution due to the immaturity of their respiratory organ systems. During periods of development in early life, the lungs are particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of air pollution.  Preliminary findings by Professor John Grigg of the Centre for Paediatrics in London, show that the lung capacity of eight and nine year old children in Tower Hamlets is five per cent lower than national average, with seven per cent of children having lung function levels internationally regarded as hazardous. 

It is estimated that living near busy roads could be responsible for some 15-30 per cent of all new cases of asthma in children. Exposure to traffic pollution has also been proven to increase the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.

Elderly people are thought to be more vulnerable to air pollution because they have a higher incidence of pre-existing health problems such as respiratory and heart disease.  However new research has shown that living near busy roads is responsible for 15-30 per cent of new cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (which includes emphsyema and bronchitis) and coronary heart disease in adults over 65.

It is unclear why low income and ethnic minority communities suffer disproportionately from air pollution, however the proximity of much of London’s social housing and state schools to busy roads is thought to be an important factor. In June 2011 Campaign for Clean Air in London published government figures showing that there were 1,148 schools within 150 metres of London roads carrying over 10,000 vehicles per day.

Levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on some of London’s busiest roads, such as Brixton Road and Putney High Street, are currently more than triple legal limits.

If you live in the UK you can find out more about the levels of air pollution in your area here

If you live in London you can find out more about the levels of air pollution in your area on the London Air Quality Network website.