City Living - The Big Wheeze? Uk

Main Category: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 14 Feb 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Asthma UK is urging all vehicle drivers to take further measures to improve air quality in cities across the UK, following the introduction of the new Low Emission Zone in London.

Traffic pollution is a major source of air pollutants and two thirds of people with asthma tell us that fumes from traffic aggravate their condition. There is also mounting evidence to suggest that living near a major road is associated with worsening asthma symptoms and 85% of people with asthma tell us they are concerned about the effect that increasing vehicle fumes will have on their and their family's health in the future.

If traffic pollution is left unchecked it could have a serious impact on the health of the 5.2 million people in the UK with asthma.

Keith Batchelor from Halton in Leeds says 'I worry about pollution in my area as it does seem to be getting worse. Having an asthma attack can be really frightening and I don't want to be afraid that stepping outside my front door is going to make me ill.'

Asthma UK urges drivers to help reduce these dangers by only driving when necessary, joining car sharing or park and ride schemes, taking the bus or walking where possible.

Changing to low or no emission vehicles or embracing 'In Town Without Your Car' days are also other ways to help reduce emissions.

This year Asthma UK will be looking to engage with the Local Authorities across the UK, to raise awareness of their responsibilities in tackling these issues and to offer guidance and assistance to insure targets regarding air quality set out in the Government's recent Air Quality Strategy are met.

Asthma UK also provides support to people with asthma affected by air pollution and offers an online service called Asthma Trigger Tips which is available via the Asthma UK website asthma.org.uk. The service offers thousands of people with asthma the opportunity to access tailored information and advice to help them effectively manage their asthma. It also offers advice on a whole range of lifestyle triggers including diet, exercise, smoking and stress, and household triggers including animals, dust mites, moulds and cleaning sprays.

For people with asthma who are affected by pollution, asthma nurse Sally Rose advises: 'For many people with asthma, changes in air quality, such as increased pollution levels, can bring with it a whole host of problems. It may be helpful to keep a regular check on air quality levels in the local area, so it is possible to make changes to plans for the following day if pollution levels will be high.'

Notes

1. Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of the 5.2million people with asthma in the UK. Asthma UK works with people with asthma, healthcare professionals and researchers to develop and share expertise to help people increase their understanding and reduce the effect of asthma on their lives.

2. For independent and confidential advice on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline, which is staffed by asthma nurse specialists. It is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm on 08457 01 02 03. Or email an asthma nurse at http://www.asthma.org.uk/adviceline.

Asthma UK