Insights

Health effects of air pollution

Rachel Pidgeon

Portfolio Manager

Reports

Our approach to tackling air pollution in inner cities

We are running a ten-year programme to tackle the health effects of air pollution and poor air quality in cities and other urban areas.

Health effects of air pollution

Impact on Urban Health

Reports

Air pollution and people with heart and lung conditions

People with lung or heart conditions experience worsened symptoms from spikes in air pollution, with high levels of NO2 associated with increases in hospital admissions for asthma. In our inner-city area, those with health conditions are more likely to say that air quality has got worse.

Health effects of air pollution

Impact on Urban Health

Reports

Air pollution and children

Air pollution can affect children’s organ development from pregnancy through to early adolescence, with children living near busy roads four times more likely than adults to have reduced lung function. Yet, our local parents are more likely than other groups to think the dangers of air pollution have been exaggerated.

Health effects of air pollution

Impact on Urban Health

Reports

09 Mar 2020

John’s story

John is 72 and lives in Southwark. He loves the hustle and bustle of the area, but is not very mobile and doesn’t get out as much as he’d like to.

Health effects of air pollution

Impact on Urban Health

Reports

09 Mar 2020

Marilyn’s story

Marilyn is a retired art teacher who lives in Brixton with her husband and three grown-up children. As a teenager she was treated for TB and, following the recent death of her brother, has become even more concerned about her health.

Health effects of air pollution

Impact on Urban Health

Reports

09 Mar 2020

Piarve’s story

Piarve is the parent of Janila, 8, and has lived in Southwark all her life. Piarve works in events for an interior design company, as well as running sewing classes and other community fashion initiatives.

Health effects of air pollution

Impact on Urban Health

Reports

09 Mar 2020

Sarah’s story

Sarah is an outdoor worker for an environmental education charity in Lambeth. She doesn’t own a car and tries to cycle most places, with public transport her back-up option.

Health effects of air pollution

Impact on Urban Health

Reports

09 Mar 2020

Ying’s story

Ying lives with her husband and child in Bermondsey. Being environmentally aware and a mother, she would like to know more about air pollution and how it affects our health.

Health effects of air pollution

Impact on Urban Health

Reports

09 Mar 2020

Alika’s story

Alika and Alex, 3, live in Southwark. Alika, who moved to London from Nigeria in 2000, is doing an electrical apprenticeship by day and is a youth worker by night.