Raised levels of air pollution a big issue in UK

MORE than 400 deaths in a single year in Staffordshire were due to raised levels of air pollution.

The Central Office of Public Interest (Copi) and Imperial College London have created the most detailed map to date of air pollution in the UK.

The interactive map (www. addresspollution.org/), tells you about pollution levels for where you live and shows nearly every home in the UK is subjected to air pollution above World Health Organisation guidelines.

The map will tell you about levels of pollutants PM2.5 and PM10, which are small particles in the air that can cause lung problems, and in the case of PM2.5 can cause cancer, as well as Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), which can increase the risk of diseaserelated mortality.

Poor air quality is a significant public health issue. Air pollution in the UK in 2013 was associated with the loss of 328,000 to 416,000 years lost due to people dying early. Public Health England estimates the number of deaths each year that may be attributable to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5).

It suggests levels of air pollution may have contributed to one in 20 deaths (5.1%) in Staffordshire.

Across the area, that would be the equivalent of around 440 deaths in 2019, the most recent figures available.

The World Health Organisation sets a guideline limit of 10 ug/m3, the amount of particles by cubic metre of air, for annual levels of PM2.5, which include fine particles of dust, dirt, soot, and smoke, often due to road vehicles.

The UK, excluding Scotland, has a target limit of 25 µg/m3 to be achieved by next year.

Each increase by 10 ug/m3 in levels of PM2.5 is assumed to increase death rates by 6%.

Long-term exposure to particulate air pollution increases the risk of death, particularly from cardiovascular causes, while short-term exposure to high concentrations can exacerbate lung and heart conditions.