REFERENCES
Lots of research has been done, and continues to be done, on the impacts of air pollution on our health. Below are all the references for the health and impact claims that we have made throughout the family clean air hub. Our health messaging has been reviewed by representatives from Public Health England, the Royal College of Physicians and Kings College London.
Health effects
Up to 36,000 deaths each year in the UK are caused by air pollution
High air pollution is linked to low birth weight and can lead to premature birth and pregnancy loss
- WHO, Effects of air pollution on children’s health and development, 2005
- Ambient air pollution and pregnancy outcomes: A comprehensive review and identification of environmental public health challenges, Nov 2018
- Acute effects of air pollutants on spontaneous pregnancy loss: a case-crossover study, Feb 2019
Research is beginning to point towards effects of air pollution on the developing brain, but more research is needed
Exposure to air pollution, both during pregnancy and after birth, can affect children’s lung function development. In areas of high air pollution, it could be setting some children up for health problems throughout their lives
- WHO, Effects of air pollution on children’s health and development, 2005
- Impact of London’s low emission zone on air quality and children’s respiratory health: a sequential annual cross-sectional study, Jan 2019
There is a strong link between air pollution and the worsening of asthma symptoms and it also plays a part in causing asthma in some individuals
Among children with asthma, those exposed to higher levels of air pollution suffer more frequent chronic respiratory symptoms
[Children’s] developing organs and immune systems – and smaller bodies and airways – make them especially vulnerable to dirty air and water.
- Quote by Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the WHO. The cost of a polluted environment, Mar 2017
There is an association between exposure to the air pollutant NO2 and cough and phlegm symptoms in adults
All of the organs in the body seem to be affected in some way by breathing in air pollution
Air pollution is linked to high blood pressure
Air pollution can lead to cardiovascular disease
Studies are showing that there may be an association between air pollution and poor mental health, but more evidence is needed
- Global association between ambient air pollution and blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Apr 2018
- Spatiotemporal influence of temperature, air quality, and urban environment on cause-specific mortality during hazy days, Mar 2018
- Ambient air pollution and daily hospital admissions for mental disorders in Shanghai, China, Feb 2018
Exposure to air pollution is also linked to increases in coughs and bronchitis
Air pollution can increase the risk of bacterial pneumonia
Air pollution potentially increases the risk of getting dementia
- Air Pollution and Dementia: A Systematic Review, 2019
- Living near major roads and the incidence of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis: a population-based cohort study, Feb 2018
- Are noise and air pollution related to the incidence of dementia? A cohort study in London, England, Sep 2018
- A critical review of the epidemiological evidence of effects of air pollution on dementia, cognitive function and cognitive decline in adult population
Air pollution and COVID-19
- Links between air pollution and COVID-19 in England
- Build Back Cleaner Air: COVID-19 & Air Pollution Report 2020
- UK GOV Ongoing_work_air_pollution_and_COVID-19
- Air Pollution and COVID-19 mortality rates in England
- Investigating links between air pollution, COVID-19 and lower respiratory infectious diseases
There is emerging evidence that air pollution can increase your risk of developing diabetes
- RCP, Every breath we take: the lifelong impact of air pollution, Feb 2016
- Association of air pollution and Type 2 diabetes
Actions
Make sure your boiler is serviced each year
Use dry, well-seasoned wood
Use fragrance free cleaning products
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RCP, every breath we take: the lifelong impact of air pollution, Feb 2016
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Volatile emissions from common consumer products, March 2015
Avoid aerosols and air fresheners
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Ten questions concerning air fresheners and indoor built environments
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Volatile emissions from common consumer products, March 2015
Choose low VOC paints
Open windows or use extractor fans when cooking
Open windows when using cleaning products
Shut windows during rush hour
Choose furniture without MDF
Car drivers can be exposed to twice as much pollution as a pedestrian and nine times as much pollution as a cyclist travelling the same journey
Quieter roads have been shown to reduce your exposure to pollution by 20%
Face masks
Impact of indoor plants on air pollution
Transport is a major source of pollution
Active travel benefits
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