‘Five people a day die in Wales due to air pollution’
FIVE people die because of air pollution every day in Wales, Public Health Wales has said. The health body has warned that tiny particles in the air and nitrogen dioxide pumped out by diesel engines are more dangerous than either obesity or alcohol consumption.
It says air pollution causes 2,000 deaths a year in Wales, the equivalent of more than five a day, and amounts to a public health crisis.
Studies have suggested that air pollution reduces life expectancy in the UK by seven to eight months on average.
The impact is greatest in the most deprived areas where nitrogen dioxide levels are at their highest.
Huw Brunt, from Public Health Wales, tells tonight’s BBC Wales Week In Week Out documentary on air pollution: “We all know smoking is probably the number one public health priority. Air pollution probably comes second to that. If you talk about obesity, inactivity and alcohol, they actually come behind air pollution.”
He says the pollution has both shortterm and long-term health effects. He said: “In the short term, it’s the eyes, nose and throat irritation primarily. In the long term, the consequences are more serious – on the heart, lungs and there’s an increased risk of cancer and other symptoms and conditions as well.
“The people who are most vulnerable to the effects are the vulnerable groups – children and elderly people with pre-existing chronic illnesses.”
Hafodyrynys Road in Crumlin, Caerphilly county, is the most polluted street monitored in the UK outside of London. So far this year, it has already breached EU air pollution limits 57 times.
Resident Dawn Howells, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, says the pollution makes her feel like a prisoner.
“When I go out the front all the fumes and everything, it’s harder to breathe,” she said. “It’s no quality of life when you’re struggling with your breath to get ready and go out. Sometimes we feel like prisoners here, we can’t get out.”
Figures from Public Health Wales show that air pollution causes 6% of all deaths in the country.
Air pollution has risen since road tax was reduced for diesel cars in 2001.
If a road has high levels, councils must declare it as an Air Quality Management Area. There are 41 of these areas across Wales. Nitrogen dioxide levels are monitored at a total of 894 sites across Wales.
A spokesman for Caerphilly council said it was aware of the problem at Hafodyrynys Road. He said: “This is a strategic cross-valley route carrying a high volume of traffic every day and the unique topography and steep gradient of the road also adds to the elevated levels of air pollution.
“We understand the concerns of residents and we are working with the local community to develop an air quality action plan.”
Week In, Week Out: The Invisible Killer on our Streets on BBC One Wales tonight at 10.40pm.