William Eichler 05 December 2019

Air pollution like smoking 150 cigarettes a year, charity warns

People living in areas that have the highest levels of air pollution have an increased risk of death that is equivalent to smoking over 150 cigarettes a year, a charity has warned.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from cars and other sources of pollution has a detrimental effect to heart health, making existing conditions worse, and increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Every year around 11,000 coronary heart disease and stroke deaths in the UK are attributable to particulate matter air pollution.

The UK currently subscribes to EU limits on levels of PM2.5. However, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines on air pollution are considered to be more stringent.

Warning that air pollution can be as harmful as smoking, the British Heart Foundation has urged the next Government to adopt the WHO limits on PM2.5, which the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) said in July 2019 would be ‘technically feasible’.

‘Air pollution is a major public health emergency and over many years it has not been treated with the seriousness it deserves,’ said Jacob West, the executive director of Healthcare Innovation.

‘Unless we take radical measures now to curb air pollution, in the future we will look back on this period of inaction with shame.

‘Legislation was passed over a decade ago to protect people from passive smoke, and similarly decisive must be taken to protect people from air pollution.

‘The last Government accepted that it is possible to implement tougher WHO air pollution limits, and the next Government must now do so protect the health of the nation.’

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

Liverpool City Council
£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recuriter: Liverpool City Council

Social Worker Campaign - Adult Services

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Support residents to live more independently, with compassion at the heart of your workSupport residents to live more independently, with compassion a England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Prinicipal Surveyor

Durham County Council
Grade 14 £ 48,710 to £52,805 pa (Pay Award Pending)
We are looking for an individual who has specialist knowledge of property and property processes and who has a professional, positive, enthusiastic an Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Customer Service Adviser (Saturday)

Oxfordshire County Council
£24404 - £24790
About the Role Customer Service Advisers are the first point of contact with library customers and library partners. The role involves continual interaction with users of the library, face to face, via email or by telephone and is a job where you can have Summertown Library, South Parade, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Continuous Improvement Audit Lead

Oxfordshire County Council
£57178 - £60485
About the Role The Continuous Improvement Audit Lead will work collaboratively across our Children, Education and Families directorate, using learning from quality assurance activity to strengthen and develop all areas of children’s services’ skills, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council
Linkedin Banner