Air quality and your health – Newham Council

Air quality and your health – Newham Council
Air quality and your health
The damage to our health from air pollution can start as early as birth right the way through to old age. It’s estimated that the equivalent of 40,000 lives are lost each year in the UK and five million across the world due to air pollution.
Our physical and psychological wellbeing is affected differently by the kind of air pollution we are exposed to causing potential health problems such as:
Respiratory diseases
Cardiovascular damage
Fatigue, headaches and anxiety
Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat
Damage to reproductive organs
Harm to the liver, spleen and blood
Mental health issues
Dementia
Low birth weight leading to premature birth and pregnancy loss.
What you can do to protect yourself outside of the home?
Give your car a day off – walk, cycle or take public transport to work or school, or work from home if you can
Use quieter streets when cycling or on foot to avoid polluted main roads
Go electric – there are lots of ways you can travel electric. Hire an electric car, taxi or test drive an electric vehicle today
Don’t idle – if you drive, turn off your engine when your vehicle is stationary and safe to do so
Use the Click and Collect method to receive parcels and reduce the amount of travelling delivery vehicles make.
What can you do to protect yourself at home?
Ventilate your home - Open windows and use extractor fans when cooking or using cleaning products, but close windows near busy roads during rush hours
Use fragrance-free milder cleaning products
Only burn dry, well-seasoned wood or smokeless fuel on your stove, open fire or barbeque
Choose paints and varnishes that are labelled low volatile organic compounds (VOCs).