Numerous studies have shown that poor quality impacts on people’s health. Those most likely to be affected are:
- Children, due to relatively higher breathing and metabolic rates as well as the immaturity of their lungs and immune system.
- The elderly, due to the decline in organ function with age and an increased prevalence of age-related disease.
- Sufferers from heart and lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and asthma, as air pollution may worsen their symptoms on days with poor air quality.
Short term exposure to air pollution tends to affect people with existing heart and lung conditions.
Long term exposure to air pollution takes an average of six months off your life, even if you do not experience effects at the time of exposure.
Those not sensitive to air pollution may not notice higher pollution days, but are still at risk through the long term health effects of air pollution.
For more information on the potential health effects of air pollution:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/
For advice on how to reduce the effects of air pollution on your health.
Cold Alert – The Cold Weather plan
Heat Alert – The Heatwave plan
Health Effects – Health Matters: air pollution
