Air pollution

Air pollution

Air pollution is in the air that we breathe in, and there are lots of different types of pollution in the air around us. Different types of pollution are caused by different things, and can affect you in different ways as they are inhaled and absorbed into the body.

Pollution can come from lots of sources, including; fires, cleaning products, car fumes, air fresheners and smoking.

Air pollution can play a part in causing asthma for some children.

For children who already have asthma, being exposed to more air pollution can increase how bad their symptoms are and how often they have chronic symptoms.

Air pollution can worsen asthma symptoms, including coughing, wheezing and breathlessness, so we’ve worked with GPs, young people with asthma and their families and climate charity, Global Action Plan, to put together some resources to help you learn about practical actions you can take to reduce your exposure to air pollution.

You can download the Air Pollution and You checklist to see what actions you can do to help to reduce your exposure to air pollution.

Visit the Global Action Plan website to find out more.

The below training video helps GPs, asthma nurses and other health professionals understand the impact air pollution has on a patients health, but the video can be watched by anyone looking for more information.

Pollution can come from lots of sources, including; fires, cleaning products, car fumes, air fresheners and smoking.

Any amount of pollution can be damaging to our health, but the more that you are exposed to it, the bigger the risk, and the larger the impact on your health it can have.

Watch the video below from Global Action Plan to understand the impact of air pollution on your body.

Children are still developing their organs and immune systems so their smaller bodies and airways means they are especially vulnerable to air pollution, and because of their size they are often closer to sources of air pollution, like car exhausts.

Air pollution can play a part in causing asthma for some children.

For children who already have asthma, being exposed to more air pollution can increase how bad their symptoms are and how often they have chronic symptoms.

Watch the video below to hear from school children in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets explaining how air pollution affects them.

The air pollution that you experience during normal daily activities is called your personal exposure. Your exposure will depend on the levels of pollutants present in all the places you visit (or move through) as well as the time you spend in each place. Typically, these places would include your home, your daily travel and anywhere you spend time for work, study and leisure.

Visit the Clean Air Hub website to learn more, or watch the video below to learn what you can do to cut down on your air pollution exposure and keep yourself safe.

There are lots of easy things that you can do to help keep the air cleaner in your home for you and your family.

Visit the Clean Air Hub website, or watch the video below to learn about how to keep your home free from indoor air pollution.

Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK. Air pollution comes from lots of places, but a major source in north east London is from vehicles and we know it can be damaging to all our health. Air pollution can move from your lungs into your bloodstream and reach many organs. It can be particularly affect people more vulnerable to harm, such as children with asthma.

Out of the 10 places in the UK with the highest number of deaths related to air pollution, 7 of those are in north east London.

There are simple steps we can all take to help ourselves and our families to reduce exposure to air pollution.

Clean Air Day brings together communities to learn more about air pollution and clean air and how we can improve together.

Resources for families and communities

Resources for professionals