Air Quality and Health

If your health is good, the levels of air pollution we usually experience in the UK are unlikely to cause any serious short-term effects.

On the rare occasions when air pollution levels are high, some people may feel eye irritation, others may start to cough, and some may find that breathing deeply hurts. People with lung diseases or heart conditions are at greater risk, especially if they are elderly. Daily changes in air pollution trigger increased admissions to hospital or death of those who are seriously ill.

Air pollution is monitored at various places across the UK and the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) provide a public information service giving up to the minute information about air pollution levels, regional forecasts, detailed information on pollutants and health advice for those affected by forecasts. You can access this information by:

• Checking Teletext pages 155 and 169
• Calling free on 0800 55 66 77
• Visiting the Air Quality Archive website (linked at the bottom of this page)

For more information on air quality and health

You can get more information by downloading "Pollution what it means for your health" - a booklet produced by DEFRA using the links below.