Air pollution in worst hit areas as deadly as smoking over 150 cigarettes each year

People living in areas of the country that are worst affected by air pollution have an increased risk of death that is on average the equivalent to smoking over 150 cigarettes a year, we have warned.


The new analysis of data comes as we urge the next government to urgently adopt into law tougher World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution limits. 

The UK currently subscribes to EU limits on levels of fine particulate matter called PM2.5, which are not as stringent as those set by the WHO. This fine particulate matter is the most dangerous kind of air pollution, with the smallest particles finding their way into the circulatory system when inhaled. 

Our research has shown that PM2.5 can have a seriously detrimental effect to heart health, making existing conditions worse, and increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
  
Every year around 11,000 coronary heart disease and stroke deaths in the UK are attributable to particulate matter air pollution. 

In July 2019, the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) published findings which found that implementing WHO guidelines on air pollution is “technically feasible”.  

Jacob West, our Executive Director of Healthcare Innovation, said: “Air pollution is a major public health emergency and over many years it has not been treated with the seriousness it deserves. Unless we take radical measures now to curb air pollution, in the future we will look back on this period of inaction with shame. 

“Legislation was passed over a decade ago to protect people from passive smoke, and similarly decisive action must be taken to protect people from air pollution. 

“The last government accepted that it is possible to implement tougher WHO air pollution limits, and the next government must now do so protect the health of the nation.” 

Before parliament was dissolved for the general election, the government introduced the Environment Bill, which set out a commitment to binding targets for fine particulate matter, but did not commit to adopting World Health Organisation guideline limits. 

The BHF says such a commitment is a crucial step in protecting the nation’s heart health. Binding 2030 targets, set in law, will ensure effective action to reduce air pollution and the risk it poses to the nation’s heart and circulatory health. 

Dr Mark Miller, a British Heart Foundation-funded researcher specialising in air pollution, said: “Ultimately, there is no safe level of air pollution, but adopting stricter limits will be crucial to ensure that action is taken to effectively reduce air pollution.  
 
“The potential health benefits of realising these targets are enormous, allowing everyone to live healthier lives for longer.”

Read about our air pollution policies