Asthma risk for our area

Study warning

People in Rutherglen and Cambuslang are among those most at risk of suffering lung damage in Britain, due to poisonous fumes, according to new research.

Researchers have found long-term exposure to fumes spewed out by vehicles and factories increases the risk of asthma.

Scientists identified signs of the condition in the breath of people living in areas where air pollution exceeds the World Health Organisation’s limits.

A study released last year by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed Glasgow and its surrounding areas, including Rutherglen and Cambuslang, had 16 micrograms in each air particle, the highest figure in the UK.

According to WHO, there should not be more than 10 micrograms in each air particle.

The news comes just months after Rutherglen Main Street was found to be one of the most polluted streets in Scotland.

Friends of the Earth Scotland found that the street had suspected illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide.

Rutherglen’s Farmeloan Road was another street listed as being at risk, while Cambuslang Main Street only narrowly fell below the danger zone in figures released last year.

The new research has been published in the European Respiratory Journal.

Anais Havet, of the French Institute of Health and Medical Research in Paris, said: “Our research reinforces the fact air pollution levels found in Europe are still too high to preserve lung health.”