What’s wrong with our air?
”Air pollution today is where smoking was in the 1960s – the experts know about the problem, but most people don’t.
In the next few years, we will look back and say ‘Why wasn’t more being done to protect us?’. It’s a good question – not least because when it comes to the damage to our life expectancy, air pollution is second only to active smoking!
PREMATURE DEATHS
Urban air quality is the top environmental risk factor for premature deaths in Europe
50,000 IN THE UK...
Air pollution shortens the lives of more than 50,000 people in the UK every year
MODERN POLLUTION MORE DAMAGING
Modern pollution is now less visible but more immediately irritating and long term damaging than it used to be.
SECOND BIGGEST KILLER
It’s the second biggest killer in the UK, only active smoking kills more people
£53 BILLION NHS COSTS
The WHO estimates the total annual cost of air pollution to the UK economy at £53bn, or 3.7% of GDP
LUNG CAPACITY REDUCED
Children living with high levels of particulates and nitrogen dioxide have up to 10% less lung capacity
CHILD DEVELOPMENT IMPACTED
High air pollution results in low birth weights, and has a negative impact on cognitive development
SHORT TERM IMPACTS
Include irritation of airways, sore throats and headaches, to severe impacts such as asthma and heart attacks
”Research shows that indoor pollutants can be 2-5 times higher than outdoor concentrations, sometimes reaching as high as 100 times. We spend the majority of time indoors, be it in the workplace, at school, or at home.
Unfortunately, as we seal buildings ever more tightly to address energy efficiency and reduce emissions, the problems are being exacerbated.
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AT RISK
30% of all commercial buildings have significant indoor air quality problems (WHO)
CAUSING 90% OF COLDS/FLU
90% of colds/flu are caused indoors
MOST AT RISK
Children and those who are already ill are most at risk
30% SUFFER FROM SBS
30% of buildings suffer from sick building syndrome (US EPA)
GOOD VENTILATION CAN INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY
Good ventilation system can increase office productivity by up to 10%
SYMPTOMS OF SBS
Include irritation of airways, sore throats, fatigue, muscle aches and headaches
LONG TERM EFFECTS
Include some respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal.
