We focus on four complex health issues more prevalent in urban areas
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Health effects of air pollution
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In December 2022, the Chief Medical Officer for England – Professor Chris Whitty – published his annual report, and it focused on air pollution. Kate Langford, Programme Director of our Health effects of air pollution programme, and Professor Whitty explain why there is hope in the efforts to improve air quality.
Air pollution has many adverse health effects that are not experienced equally across the UK. Time and time again, research shows it’s the most vulnerable and marginalised people in our communities, particularly those living in urban areas, who are disproportionately affected by air pollution.
Chronic, long-term exposure to air pollution leads to cardiovascular disease, including strokes or heart attacks; there is evidence on the links between exposure to air pollution and dementia; and poor air quality is linked to a number of cancers. Put simply, air pollution is an environmental risk to health that can, and must, be solved systematically.
As Professor Whitty says: “In the case of air pollution, an individual can only have a very small impact on their own risk, and the risk of their families. This is particularly true of outdoor air pollution. The state therefore must do the heavy lifting when it comes to protecting people.
“Although there is more to do, the good news is we’ve made progress on outdoor air pollution. What our report shows is that the path to better outdoor air quality is clear, and we now need to go down it.”
Read the Chief Medical Officer's Annual Report 2022 in full
At Impact on Urban Health, reducing people’s exposure to air pollution is a major focus. And part of that work – reducing air pollution from construction sites – was the basis of our contribution to the Chief Medical Officer’s report.
We worked with the Centre for Low Emission Construction (CLEC) and found that there are practical steps the industry, and local and national government can take to improve air quality from construction sites, which remain a major source of air pollution in cities. For example, by employing construction compliance officers or adopting the use of low emission technologies.
But we’re also aiming to reduce people’s exposure in other ways, including from the primary source of air pollution: transport.
Speaking about transport and air pollution, Professor Whitty said: “Transport is the primary source of outdoor air pollution in cities. London is leading the way in reducing air pollution from its transport system. As it says in our new report, the ultra-low emission zone has reduced nitrogen dioxide levels by a fifth in inner London and 44% in central London.”
“ Transport is the primary source of outdoor air pollution in cities. London is leading the way in reducing air pollution from its transport system. As it says in our new report, the ultra-low emission zone has reduced nitrogen dioxide levels by a fifth in inner London and 44% in central London. Professor Chris Whitty Chief Medical Officer
Transport is the primary source of outdoor air pollution in cities. London is leading the way in reducing air pollution from its transport system. As it says in our new report, the ultra-low emission zone has reduced nitrogen dioxide levels by a fifth in inner London and 44% in central London.
Working with our partners, we’ve found school streets can significantly reduce how much particulate pollution children are exposed to in and around schools.
And we are working with the Mayor of London, Greater London Authority, and Global Action Plan to establish the London Schools Pollution Helpdesk, which can help schools in the highest areas of pollution implement solutions like schools streets and green screens.
When it comes to protecting people from air pollution, there’s also a role for businesses. We’re working to encourage organisations to switch from polluting delivery methods such as vans to using cargo bikes. Our most recent research, carried out with Just Economics, found that van deliveries have hidden costs which amount to almost £2.5 billion per year in London alone.
Active travel isn’t just a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable option; it’s good for business.
Speaking about the benefits of improving air quality, Professor Whitty said: “Many of the changes to improve outdoor air pollution have significant co-benefits. For example, reducing the use of fossil fuels for energy reduces both air pollution and carbon emissions; and making it easier for people to choose active travel reduces air pollution emissions from vehicles.”
People spend around 80% of their time inside. As with outdoor spaces, people in public buildings are exposed to air pollution but can do little about it. It’s important we learn how we can reduce and prevent air pollution indoors, as well as outdoors, to protect people’s health.
“Covid-19 reminded us of the extraordinary power of respiratory infections.” Professor Whitty points out, “better ventilation inside buildings will help to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and other airborne infections, like flu, while helping to improve indoor air quality.”
“ Covid-19 reminded us of the extraordinary power of respiratory infections. Better ventilation inside buildings will help to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and other airborne infections, like flu, while helping to improve indoor air quality. Professor Chris Whitty Chief Medical Officer
Covid-19 reminded us of the extraordinary power of respiratory infections. Better ventilation inside buildings will help to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and other airborne infections, like flu, while helping to improve indoor air quality.
It’s significant that the report places a strong focus on indoor air quality, as it’s vital for public health that we improve it.
To that end, we’re working with Repowering London to explore how guidance on indoor air quality can be incorporated into community support services for people in Lambeth who are at risk of fuel poverty.
We’re also working with ClearView Research to explore how the design and structure of homes influences air quality; and how we can support people to reduce air pollution inside their homes.
One of the major sources of air pollution both inside and outside the home is wood burning.
People are generally not aware of the harmful pollution caused by burning wood. Communicating the link between wood burning and health without judgement is an essential step toward behaviour change and regulation.
That’s why we’re also working with Kantar Research and Global Action Plan to test ways to talk to people about how burning wood at home can drastically increase air pollution both indoors and outdoors.
The new report from the Chief Medical Office shows there is room for hope in improving air quality, both outdoors and indoors. We’ve seen progress already, but we need to see more. It’s time to make improving air quality a priority.