How to Protect Yourself from London's Toxic Smog | |||
Tips from the Breathe Better Together campaign and Asthma UK
This week, as Londoners faced being blanketed by dangerous "toxic smog", Mayor of London Boris Johnson tweeted:
" London Gov @LDN_gov
High air pollution forecast today. Get tips to protect you & your family". " This episode, the third of the year so far, is being caused by collapsing wind speeds and a change in wind direction that is bringing in air from the continent that has passed over heavily urbanised and industrialised areas. Easterly winds look set to worsen the problem for West London as it gets smothered in everyone’s air pollution. Air pollution monitors across London are expected to report HIGH particle levels at roadside and perhaps some background locations. "Official health advice is that anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors. At-risk individuals should take extra care and carry their medication with them today. Relief is expected overnight as wind speeds turn northerly. "Boris could improve his alert system by issuing warnings before the news cycle rather than after it begins and tweeting them himself to 1.2m followers." Kay Boycott, Chief Executive of Asthma UK, says: “Two thirds of people with asthma find that air pollution makes their asthma worse, putting them at an increased risk of a potentially fatal asthma attack. "When air pollution is high it’s vital people with respiratory conditions including asthma check air pollution forecasts, carry their reliever inhaler with them at all times, and ensure that they are taking their preventer inhaler every day because this will help build resilience to asthma triggers like air pollution. "People with asthma have told us that on days when air pollution levels are high they feel that they can’t even leave the house for fear that it will trigger an attack. If anyone is concerned about how pollution may affect their asthma they can call the Asthma UK Helpline on 0800 121 62 44 or visit www.asthma.org.uk."
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