Air pollution :Cross Stitch – Environment and greener living

Air pollution can be harmful to people, animals and the environment. Using less energy, learning greener driving habits or using different ways to get around can help reduce the air pollution you create.

The air contains substances that can be harmful to health and the environment. Air pollutants include ozone, oxides of nitrogen, ammonia, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter (bits of soot, dust or liquid, for example).

In the UK, air pollution lowers everyone’s life expectancy by about six months on average

Polluted air can cause problems for people who have lung diseases, heart conditions and asthma. Some pollutants are known to cause cancer. Children and older people are particularly at risk.

If your health is good, the normal levels of air pollution in the UK are unlikely to cause you any problems.

Particulate matter

When people breathe in polluted air, very fine particles can get into their lungs and cause breathing difficulties. Over time this can lead to heart and lung problems.

Ground-level ozone

Sunlight can cause some chemicals to react and form ozone near the ground – in some cases this can damage people’s eyes and throats. If you have asthma this can trigger your symptoms.

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide from older cars, cigarette smoke and faulty gas appliances affects the blood and is especially dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn babies.

Lead

Lead in petrol has been reduced but it is still released into the air by industry and coal power stations. If people are exposed to high levels of lead, organs in the body such as the kidneys, heart and brain can be damaged. Children are more sensitive to the effects of lead pollution than adults, and a child’s intelligence may suffer.

What to do if you have health problems

If you know you have breathing problems or a heart condition, you can stay indoors when pollution levels are high. Always take your medication with you when you go out.

Air pollution also affects plants and wildlife. This is why it can be more difficult for plants to thrive in city centres. Pollutants can also get into animals’ food and water.

Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can make water and soil more acidic (and therefore harmful to some plants and animals). This can also reduce the amount of plants that provide food and shelter, causing serious problems for other wildlife.

Ozone can damage many types of plants, including farmed crops.

There are many ways to prevent and reduce air pollution:

using less energy at home means that less coal, oil and gas are burnt, and less air pollution is given off
using public transport, cycling or walking more instead of driving will reduce traffic pollution
if you need to drive, there are techniques that help you use less fuel, like driving more slowly and smoothly
when buying paints, varnishes or glues, look for products that are water-based or have low solvent content

You can also report any pollution incidents you come across to your council or the Environment Agency. The link ‘How to report pollution’ explains how to do this.