Air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to public health
Levels of air pollution in the UK are way above guidelines set by the World Health Organization, damaging our health from being in the womb and throughout our lives.
It is having a devastating impact on our lungs
Air pollution stunts the growth of children’s lungs, causing lifelong health impacts. It causes and worsens lung conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.
Some people are more susceptible to harm
Air pollution affects us all, but we know that pregnant people, children, older people, and people with lung conditions are most at risk of health harms. We also know that people on the lowest incomes and those from ethnically minoritised backgrounds are exposed to disproportionately high levels of air pollution, despite often contributing the least to emissions.
We need change.
We want policy makers to:
Commit to stronger, legally binding air quality targets aligned with the 2021 World Health Organization guidelines, to better protect public health.
Deliver a national campaign to raise the public’s awareness of the health harms of air pollution.
Improve clean air policy by involving those most impacted by air pollution in it’s creation.