With approximately 7 million premature deaths attributed to air pollution each year—equating to around 800 lives lost every hour—air pollution remains a major public health and environmental concern.
The key culprits, including particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide, are all known to have significant health implications, particularly for individuals with heart and lung conditions. The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies air pollution as the contamination of our indoor and outdoor environments by any chemical, physical, or biological agents that degrade the quality of the air we breathe. Both short- and long-term exposure can lead to severe health consequences, impacting people worldwide, especially vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
A Tragic Loss That Became a Catalyst for Change
The tragic 2020 death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, a young girl who suffered a fatal asthma attack linked to prolonged exposure to traffic-related air pollution, brought renewed focus to the impact of poor air quality on health. Evidence from the inquest highlighted how insufficient communication around air pollution risks contributed to this avoidable tragedy. This landmark ruling marked the first time air pollution was legally recognised as a contributing factor to a person's death in the United Kingdom.
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Coroner Philip Barlow emphasised that medical professionals need to play a more active role in informing families about the dangers of air pollution. This wake-up call underscored the importance of bridging the information gap on air pollution’s effects, especially among healthcare providers who can empower patients with knowledge about exposure reduction.
Empowering Healthcare Professionals to Educate Patients
The healthcare community is now stepping up to address air pollution proactively. Great Ormond Street Hospital, for instance, has introduced a pilot scheme that adds data on nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter at patients’ home addresses to medical records, especially when levels exceed WHO's recommended safe limits. This approach helps identify at-risk individuals and empowers healthcare providers to advise patients on ways to reduce exposure.
To further support healthcare professionals, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is developing resources to facilitate discussions on air pollution with patients. As part of this effort, RCP advocates for including air pollution awareness in medical training, ensuring that doctors and nurses understand the significant responsibility they have in educating patients on this public health issue.
The Importance of Urban Planning in Air Quality Improvement
Urban planning also plays an essential role in addressing air pollution. Research shows that encouraging active forms of transportation, such as walking and cycling, could lead to dramatic reductions in emissions. Reversing the decline in active travel observed since the 1950s can foster better air quality and improve public health. Chris Whitty's 2022 report on air pollution emphasises the importance of focusing on environments where people live, work, and study and advocates for reducing traffic congestion and pollution in these spaces.
A Call to Action
Air pollution is not only a health crisis but also a preventable one. Collective efforts from medical professionals, policymakers, urban planners, and the general public are essential to drive meaningful change. Educating ourselves and others about the impacts of air pollution and advocating for cleaner air are critical steps towards a healthier, more sustainable future.
For more information or to learn how you can support clean air initiatives, please visit hazeenvironmental.com or contact Haze Environmental at enquries@hazeenvironmental.com.
