Air Pollution:• what it means for your health• the public information service

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs in partnership with the Department of Health, the Scottish Executive and the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland.

These days, many people are concerned about air pollution andwhether it might affect their health. The fact is that most of the time,air pollution levels are low. The air is certainly a lot cleaner todaythan in the days of the smogs of the 1950’s, when factory chimneysbelched out smoke and nearly everyone had a coal fire. But if you areconcerned about air pollution, there is a free and easy to use servicethat allows you to check levels in your area.

The Government and the devolved administrations’ Air PollutionInformation Service is managed by the Department for Environment,Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). It provides detailed and easy-to-understand information on air pollution, completely free of charge.This information can be particularly important to people with medicalconditions which air pollution may make worse.

Everyone has a right to accurate,comprehensive and up-to-dateinformation on the air they breathe.

This booklet is designed to be aneasy to understand guide to theAir Pollution Information Serviceand to air pollution and health. Itexplains what the service is andtells you:

• how to use the service;

• the bands (or levels) of airpollution and how tounderstand the 1 to10 index;

• the health effectsof different levelsof air pollution;

• what to do if airpollution affects yourhealth;

• which pollutantsthe service covers;

• where air pollutioncomes from and whataffects people’sexposure; and

• where to find out more aboutair pollution.

It also advises on:

• “does it make a differencewhere I live?”; and

• how we can all help reduce airpollution.

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INTRODUCTION

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WHAT IS THE AIR POLLUTION INFORMATION SERVICE?

The service gives up-to-the-minute information at yourfingertips, including:

• concise, easy-to-understand summaries;

• detailed information on individual pollutants, based on thelatest medical and scientific research;

• health advice – essential for people whose health may beaffected by air pollution; and

• forecasts for the following urban areas and regions areavailable on the internet, teletext and freephone:

Urban areasBirminghamManchesterWest YorkshireTynesideLiverpoolSheffieldNottinghamBristolBrighton/Worthing/Littlehampton

LeicesterPortsmouthSwanseaCardiffBelfastEdinburghGlasgow

RegionsNorth EastNorth WestYorkshire andHumberside

East MidlandsWest MidlandsEasternGreater London

South EastSouth WestNorth East ScotlandHighlandsCentral Scotland Scottish BordersNorth WalesSouth WalesNorthern Ireland

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A free leaflet Working Together for Clean Air (ref. 99EP0865) explainswhat the Government, the devolved administrations in Scotland, Walesand Northern Ireland and local authorities across the country are doingto improve air quality. Copies are available from DEFRA Free Literature atthe address at the end of this leaflet.

The service is available through TVteletext pages, freephone and theinternet. The teletext andfreephone services provide all thebasic information, while there ismore detail on the internet.

The service reports levels ofthe five main air pollutants thatcan cause immediate healtheffects, against a numericalindex as:

• 1–3 (low)

• 4–6 (moderate)

• 7–9 (high)

• 10 (very high)

The descriptions are based on thelatest medical and scientificresearch. They are available on:

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WHAT INFORMATION DOES THE SERVICE PROVIDE?

Teletext: pages 155 and 169

Freephone: 0800 55 66 77

Internet: http://www.airquality.co.uk

(also see How does the air pollution banding system work?)

TV teletext: pages 155 and 169

The information is in threecategories:

• national and regional forecastsfor the next 24 hours (p. 155);

• air pollution and health advice (p. 169); and

• Alert messages when airpollution is high (p. 155).

Up to date levels of air pollutionare given for three types of area:

• in towns and cities nearer busyroads;

• elsewhere in towns and cities; and

• in rural areas.

Freephone 0800 556677:

• available 24 hours a day;

• fast-track service for frequentcallers to access their region’sforecasts quicker;

• three types of area as those onteletext; and

• more detailed information,particularly on health effects.

Internet

• National Air Quality InformationArchive http://www.airquality.co.uk

• same information as teletext andfreephone.

The Archive also has:

• a comprehensive range of newand historic air pollutioninformation;

• data on the concentrations of alarge number of individualpollutants, measured on an hourly orlonger basis at over 110 automaticand over 1,100 non-automaticmonitoring sites around the UK.

Who might want to use theservice?

• people with heart conditions orlung diseases, including asthma,bronchitis and emphysema;

• people whose breathing getsworse when air pollutionincreases;

• people who want to know moreabout air pollution levels and whowant to help reduce it.

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How does the air pollutionbanding system work?

The system is a way of tellingpeople of the daily changes in airpollution. It is especially helpful tothose affected by air pollution, as itcan help them adjust theirmedication or activities for the day.

The system uses a numericalindex grouped into four bands todescribe levels of air pollution.The bands, or levels, are 1–3 (low),4–6 (moderate), 7–9 (high) and 10 (very high).

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Information on each of the five main pollutants with short-termhealth effects is gathered every hour from over 110 automaticmonitoring sites. The five main pollutants are:

• sulphur dioxide;

• nitrogen dioxide;

• ozone;

• carbon monoxide; and

• particles (PM10).

The air pollution level reported in the forecasts and summariesis the highest for any single pollutant.For example, if all but one of the pollutants in a region or city were 1–3 (low), with just a single pollutant registering 7 (high), thesummary would describe air pollution as 7 (high). In the UK, very highlevels of air pollution are rare. That is why the ‘very high’ band is onlya single number – 10.

The service also issues special messages when air pollution levels arehigh. These report where and when exceedences occur and explain theirlikely cause. They also give a forecast of levels and specific health adviceto sensitive people in the area affected.

How might air pollution affect me?

If your health is good, the levels ofair pollution we usually experiencein the UK are unlikely to have anyserious short-term effects. But onthe rare occasions when airpollution levels are high,some people may feeleye irritation, othersmay start to cough,and some may findthat breathingdeeply hurts.

People with lungdiseases or heart conditions are at greater risk,especially if they are elderly. Dailychanges in air pollution triggerincreased admissions to hospital

and contribute to the prematuredeath of those who are seriouslyill.

The table below describes howthe health of people who are

sensitive to air pollutants mightbe affected by pollution at

the different levels orbands.

People with heartconditions orsevere lungdiseases (for

example, chronicbronchitis or emphysema)

might be more sensitive tochanges in air pollution than thedescriptions suggest.

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Pollution band and Health effectnumerical index

Effects are unlikely to be noticed, even by people whoknow they are sensitive to air pollutants

Mild effects are unlikely to require action, but sensitivepeople may notice them

Sensitive people may notice significant effects, and may haveto act to reduce or avoid them (for example, by reducing timespent outdoors). Asthmatics will find that their relieverinhaler should reverse the effects of pollution on their lungs

The effects of high levels of pollution on sensitive peoplemay worsen when pollution becomes very high

Sensitive individuals are people who suffer from heart and lung diseases,including asthma, particularly if they are elderly.

1–3 (LOW)

4–6 (MODERATE)

7–9 (HIGH)

10 (VERY HIGH)

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The changes from band to band arenot sudden steps. The effects of airpollutants on health increasegradually as air pollution levels rise.

It is important to look at thelevels and bands in the light ofpersonal experience. Somepeople – especially those who aresensitive to air pollution – willlearn from experience how airpollution affects them. Some maystill notice the effects for severaldays after pollution levels havefallen to low or moderate levels.

The information service onlyprovides information about thehealth effects of short-termexposure to certain air pollutants. Airpollution is also likely to affecthealth over the longer term.Understanding of the long-termhealth effects of exposure to airpollution is currently rather limited,but experts suggest that cutting longterm exposure to fine particles byhalf could increase life expectancyby between 1 and 11 months onaverage. This is not as great as theeffect of smoking on life expectancy(on average, non-smokers live 7years longer than smokers).

Asthma

There is little evidence that airpollution itself causes asthma.

Research is continuing onthis subject. However, ifyou already have asthma,

you may find that airpollution triggers anattack, althoughinfections and allergensare more likely to do so.

If you suffer from lung diseases ora heart condition, you might like tofollow the advice below.

HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLEWITH LUNG DISORDERS AND

OTHERS SENSITIVE TO AIRPOLLUTION

If you have asthma oranother lung disease, yoursymptoms are unlikely tochange when air pollutionlevels are 1–3 (low) or 4–6(moderate). This applieswhatever the time of year.

However, your symptomsmay get worse when airpollution reaches the 7–9(high) or 10 (very high)bands, especially if you areelderly. If this happens, youmay need to change yourtreatment in the usual way.If these steps don’t help,consult your doctor.

Heart Disease

HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLEWITH HEART DISEASE

If you suffer from a heartcondition and you notice achange in your symptoms,get medical advice as younormally would. Do not tryto change your treatmentyourself.

Smoking

Smoking is likelyto have a muchmore seriouseffect on yourhealth than airpollution.Giving upsmoking will

reduce yourrisk of lung and

heart disease considerably. Itwill also make you less vulnerableto the short-term effects ofair pollution.

In winter

• If traffic fumes make breathingharder, avoid busy streets as muchas you can.

• If you are elderly, stay indoors asmuch as possible and keep warm.

In summer

• If you find it harder to breathe onhot sunny days, avoid energeticoutdoor activities, especially in theafternoons when pollution levelstend to be higher.

• If your child has asthma, theyshould still be able to take part ingames as normal, but they mayneed to use their reliever inhalermore before they start. They do notneed to stay away from school.

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The table below describes thehealth effects that sensitiveindividuals might experience atvery high levels of these pollutants.

With the exception of carbonmonoxide, very high levels of allthese pollutants can irritate the

lungs and cause inflammation.People with lung diseases,especially the elderly, may feel lesswell than usual. In some casestheir symptoms may increase tosuch an extent that they need achange in treatment, or admissionto hospital.

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WHERE DOES AIR POLLUTION COME FROM?

The service reports daily outdoorlevels of pollution, mostly fromoutdoor sources. Different sourcesare responsible for differentpollutants. Road transport is themain source of nitrogen dioxideand carbon monoxide. Powerstations and other industrialsources also produce nitrogendioxide. Industry is the mainsource of sulphur dioxide. Particles

come from many sources,including road transport, powerstations and other industry. Theburning of wood or coal for homeheating can also be an importantsource of sulphur dioxide andparticles. Ground level ozone is notemitted directly from any source.Instead it is formed when sunlightacts on nitrogen dioxide and otheratmospheric substances close to

Pollutant Health effects at very high levels

Nitrogen dioxide These gases irritate the airways of the lungs, increasing theSulphur dioxide symptoms of those suffering from lung diseases.Ozone

Particles Fine particles can be carried deep into the lungs where they cancause inflammation and a worsening of heart and lung diseases.

Carbon monoxide This gas prevents the normal transport of oxygen by the blood.This can lead to a significant reduction in the supply of oxygento the heart, particularly in people suffering from heart disease.

the ground. The pollutants thatcause ground level ozone comefrom a range of sources, includingpetrol and other fuels. Groundlevel ozone is different to the

ozone layer, which is affected byozone depleting substances, suchas CFCs, that have been releasedinto the atmosphere.

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Higher pollution Lower pollution

Cities/towns in deep valleys Cities/towns on hills

In summer, during sunny, still weather, Windy or wet weather at any time of yearparticularly ozone in suburban and rural areas

In winter, in cold, still foggy weather, Rural areas away from major roads andparticularly vehicle pollutants in large factories (for most pollutants exceptcities ozone)

Busy roads with heavy traffic next to Residential roads with light traffic high buildings and busy road junctions

High levels of solid fuel, for example Smoke control area or areas with highcoal and wood, used for heating in the levels of gas or electric used for heatinglocal area

EXPOSURE TO AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution levels vary from areato area and from day to day. Levelsof pollution can be influenced by anumber of things:

• local landscape features andsurroundings;

• local and regional sources ofpollution; and

• seasonal variations andprevailing weather conditions.

For example, the followinglocations and weather conditionsmight lead to higher or lowerlevels of pollution.

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People often ask whether theyshould move home to reduce therisks to their health from exposureto air pollution. This is a difficultquestion to answer.

What we do know:

• For an individual pollutant, levelsvary across the country. Levelsalso vary between different placesin the same area for examplebeside roads.

• Levels of some pollutants varymore than others and levels ofdifferent pollutants are higherin different areas. For example,ozone is higher in rural areasbut particles are higher in urbanareas.

• Air pollution can worsen thesymptoms of heart or lungdisease in some people butnot in others.

• Some studiesfind that asthmasymptoms aregreater in thoseliving besideroads but otherstudies do not.

What we do not know:

• It may be unclear whether aperson is truly sensitive to airpollution. For example, there aremany triggers for asthma andreducing exposure to air pollutionwill not help if in fact it is anothertrigger that is more important.

• Despite the fact a personappears to be sensitive to air

DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHERE I LIVE?

The Air Quality Strategy forEngland, Scotland, Wales andNorthern Ireland sets theframework for local action toreduce pollution. Local authoritiesmonitor and assess air quality andprepare action plans where theyidentify pollution hot-spots. TheEnvironment agencies and localauthorities are monitoring andregulating emissions from industry.The European Union and otherinternational organisations areacting to reduce global pollution.The Government and devolvedadministrations have introduced awide range of measures, whichhave substantially cut harmfulemissions from road vehicles andencouraged people to use cleanerfuels and vehicles.

But everyone can do their bit toreduce air pollution, especiallywhen pollution levels are high.

On the road

Roadvehiclesare amajorsource ofmanypollutants inurban areas.They produceover 50 percent of the emissions of nitrogenoxides and over 75 per cent ofcarbon monoxide emissions in theUK.

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pollution, they may not knowwhich pollutant is having an effect.

• It may not be obvious how muchof a reduction in exposure isrequired to make a significantdifference.

It is therefore very difficult to giveadvice which is relevant toeveryone in the same area. Movinghome is a major life event andmay have other consequences for

people’s health. It is unlikely to beworthwhile for people to movesimply because of concerns aboutpossible effects of air pollution.However, if a person is in theprocess of moving, they couldconsider choosing a lowerpollution area. Information isavailable (details at the end of thisleaflet) on levels of air pollutants indifferent areas to enable people tomake their own choice.

HELPING TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION

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Before using your car, ask yourself:

• do I really need to make thisjourney?

• could I walk or cycle instead oftaking the car?

• could I take a bus, tram or train?

• are the levels of air pollutionalready too high today?

If you must drive:

• drive smoothly. You’ll save fuel,and your engine will also polluteless;

• don’t rev your engineunnecessarily;

• maintain your car. Keep theengine properly tuned and thetyres at the right pressure; and

• turn off the engine when yourcar is stationary.

At home

• Buy water-based or low-solventpaints, varnishes, glues and woodpreservatives.

• Avoid burning solid fuels ifpossible. If you live in a smokecontrol area, burn only authorisedsmokeless fuels (your localauthority can advise you).

• Avoid lighting bonfires, but if youmust, don’t light them whenpollution levels are high or whilethe weather is still and cold. Onlyburn dry material and never burnhousehold waste, especiallyplastic, rubber, foam or paint.Levels of pollution can be quitehigh on bonfire night and otherevents/festivals with bonfires, andsensitive people, including peoplewith respiratory conditions, maynotice some effects. Howeverexposure can be considerablyreduced by remaining indoors andkeeping windows closed.

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MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE FROM:

Teletext: pages 155 and 169

Freephone: 0800 55 66 77

Internet: http://www.airquality.co.uk

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and airquality issues in England:http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality

National Assembly for Wales:http://www.wales.gov.uk/linksenvironment

Northern Ireland: http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/environprotect

Scottish Executive: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/environment/airquality

Department of Health, Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants and air quality issues:http://www.doh.gov.uk/hef/airpol/airpolh This website includes further details on the health effects ofpollution discussed in this leaflet.

A leaflet/poster Winter Smog, Summer Smog (ref 97EP0353)and further copies of this leaflet (ref PB6472) are available from:

DEFRA Publications Admail 6000London SW1A 2XXTel: 08459 556 000Fax: 020 8957 5012Email: defra@iforcegroup.com

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Published by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

© Crown Copyright 2002. Copyright in the typographical arrangement and

design vests in the crown.

Printed in the UK on paper containing 75% post consumer waste and

25% ECF pulp.

PB6472

• Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

• Department of Health

• The Scottish Executive

• Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland