About
Air pollution results from the introduction of a range of substances into the atmosphere from a wide variety of sources. It can cause both short term and long term effects on health and the environment.
Overview
Air quality in Lewisham has improved over recent years, with most areas experiencing a significant decline in pollution levels.
We have seen some areas of improvement thanks to the introduction of stronger legislation on the sources of pollution within industry, heating and transport. However, despite the improvements made, air pollution is still recognised as a risk to health, and many people are concerned about pollution in the air that they breathe.
Legislation and policies aiming to reduce and track the impact of air pollution have been introduced in the UK.
More specialist information on pollutants and their impacts on habitats and species, can be found on UK Air Pollution Information System (APIS).
Health advice
Breathing in pollution can negatively impact our health, as highlighted in the UK Chief Medical Officer's annual repot 2022-air pollution, which emphasises that there is ultimately no 'safe' level of air pollution. The health effects of air pollution depend on the amount of pollution that you are exposed to and the amount of time you are exposed for. Breathing in polluted air over a long period of time can increase the risk of heart and lung diseases (Asthmacauses NHS and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and lung cancer.
There is also evidence linking air pollution to increased risk of dementia, low birth weights and diabetes. Breathing in polluted air over a shorter period, can also lead to symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation.
Who is affected?
In the UK, air pollution rarely rises to levels at which people need to make major changes to their habits to avoid exposure. However, air pollution affects people differently.
For healthy people, moderate air pollution levels are unlikely to have any serious short-term effects on human health. Yet exposure to higher levels of pollution and/or long-term exposure to air pollution can lead to more serious symptoms and conditions affecting human health.
Children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health issues such as heart or lung conditions (COPD or asthma) may be more negatively impacted by poor air quality. People who work in highly polluted places or regularly travel in or through polluted areas, may be at higher risk of air pollution-related health problems.
In 2021/22 there were approximately 17,759 Lewisham residents over 6 years old with asthma, and nearly 4,275 residents with COPD.
| Period | Count | Lewisham | London | England |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 | 17,289 | 5.40% | 4.70% | 6.40% |
| 2021/22 | 17,759 | 5.40% | 4.70% | 6.50% |
| 2022/23 | 17,917 | 5.40% | 4.70% | 6.50% |
| 2023/24 | 18,124 | 5.40% | 4.70% | 6.50% |
| Period | Lewisham | London | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012/13 | 1.10% | 1.10% | 1.70% |
| 2013/14 | 1.20% | 1.10% | 1.80% |
| 2014/15 | 1.20% | 1.10% | 1.80% |
| 2015/16 | 1.20% | 1.10% | 1.90% |
| 2016/17 | 1.30% | 1.10% | 1.90% |
| 2017/18 | 1.30% | 1.10% | 1.90% |
| 2018/19 | 1.30% | 1.10% | 1.90% |
| 2019/20 | 1.30% | 1.10% | 1.90% |
| 2020/21 | 1.30% | 1.10% | 1.90% |
| 2021/22 | 1.20% | 1.10% | 1.90% |
| 2022/23 | 1.20% | 1.00% | 1.80% |
| 2023/24 | 1.20% | 1.00% | 1.90% |
Further information on Lewisham’s Health Data and Wellbeing Strategy can be found in our Health and wellbeing strategy. It should be noted the Health and Wellbeing Strategy is currently being updated and the new version will be published here when it is available.
Short-term effects of air pollution on health
It is possible that some individuals may experience health effects even on low air pollution days. Looking at the Daily Air Quality Index can help you to understand air pollution levels and find out about recommended actions and health advice. The following links provide information about short-term effects of air pollution.
Long-term effects of air pollution on health
The following links provide information about long-term effects of air pollution.
Legislation
Air quality policy begins at the international level. The Gothenburg protocol is the key international directive. The protocol was first adopted in 1999 and sets the limits of air pollution.
International regulations are implemented at the EU and national level through several methods. The UK has air quality laws originating from EU legislation in domestic legislation.
The air quality strategy
The national air quality strategy, sets out air quality objectives and policy options to further improve air quality in the UK, in the short and the long term.
The strategy outlines the UK Air Quality Standards and Objectives, which have been set to measure the improvement of air quality.
Clean air strategy
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published the UK Clean air strategy in 2019 (pdf):
- Protect the nation’s health
- Protect the environment
- Secure clean growth and innovation
- Reduce emissions from transport, homes, farming and industry
- Monitor progress
UK air quality limits
The air quality standards regulations 2010 (pdf) sets binding limits for concentrations of outdoor air pollutants that are known to have a significant impact on human health.
The national air quality objectives for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), PM10 and PM2.5.
WHO air quality guidelines
World Health Organization (WHO) updated it's World Health OrganizationWorld Health Organiztion, air quality guidelines in 2021.
This new document provides clear evidence of the damage air pollution inflicts on human health at much lower concentrations than the existing legal limit values for air pollutants.