One in five people with lung conditions surveyed hit by pollution flare-ups

Toxic air is triggering potentially life-threatening asthma attacks and severe flare-ups in people with lung conditions, according to new analysis from Asthma + Lung UK, sparking urgent calls for tougher clean air laws.

Released on Clean Air Day (19 June), the charity’s latest findings reveal the devastating health toll of toxic air. Almost one in five of people with lung conditions surveyed said air pollution had caused an asthma attack or serious flare-up, while more than half said it left them feeling breathless.^1,2

The charity’s Life with a Lung Condition Survey also uncovered the worrying mental health impact. Nearly one in six people said they avoid leaving home when air pollution levels are high, and one in ten reported feeling low or depressed because of it.^3,4

Even among those who believe they’re not affected by air pollution, a third of those surveyed were unaware of the risks, suggesting a significant gap in awareness.⁵

Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive at Asthma + Lung UK, said: “Air pollution is a public health emergency. It is the biggest environmental threat to human health, contributing to up to 43,000 early deaths in the UK every year.⁶

“For the millions living with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), air pollution can be deadly, yet many people are unaware of the toll it has on the nation’s health. Toxic air is a major driver of respiratory conditions and can cause lung cancer and trigger asthma attacks, as well as flare ups of lung conditions such as COPD, exacerbating symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing and coughing.

“Despite the huge personal and financial costs of air pollution, the government has not yet shown the political will to tackle this crisis. We urgently need tougher air quality laws, aligned with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to protect people now and in the future.”

Student Chloe Fox, 20, knows first-hand how dangerous air pollution can be. After moving to London for university, her asthma spiralled and she was hospitalised 20 times in two years. Chloe, who studies tourism at the University of West London, said:

“People don’t realise how serious asthma can be or how badly air pollution can affect it. When I first moved to London, I lived in Wembley, where the traffic was constant. I’d start wheezing the moment I stepped outside.

“Over two years, I was in and out of hospital with asthma attacks, at least ten times each year. Things have improved since I moved out of London, and my medication was adjusted. But back then, it was a nightmare.

“I still commute into London to study, so I have to be careful. If there’s heavy traffic or a lot of fumes, I get a tight chest and feel breathless. I always carry my reliever inhaler with me and try to avoid walking near busy roads when I can. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve had asthma, when it hits, it’s always scary.”

Air pollution worsens asthma, COPD, stunts children’s lung growth, and can even affect unborn babies. Yet limits on pollutants like nitrogen dioxide remain up to four times higher than World Health Organization guidelines. Asthma + Lung UK is now calling on governments across the UK to set tougher air quality targets to protect future generations from the negative health effects of dirty air.

The charity advises people with lung conditions to reduce or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise when pollution levels are high, stay away from pollution hotspots such as main roads and busy road junctions, and go out earlier in the day when air quality tends to be better. Keep your car windows closed if you’re driving, especially if you’re driving in slow-moving traffic, and be prepared by checking pollution levels in your area. Defra produces a UK-wide pollution forecast every day, and for the following five days here, so you can check to see if your local area is likely to be affected.

Those using inhalers should also ensure they use their preventer inhalers as prescribed to stop swelling and inflammation building up in the airways and always carry their reliever inhalers with them to relieve symptoms if they do come on.

Asthma + Lung UK is urging the public to add their voice by signing its e-petition, calling on governments across the UK to introduce tougher clean air targets to stop toxic air from damaging our health: Adopt Ambitious Air Quality Standards into UK Law | Asthma + Lung UK

References

1. Data via Asthma + Lung UK’s Life with a Lung Condition survey. The survey ran between February – March 2025, and gained 9387 responses in total. 

Respondents were asked if air pollution made their health or lung condition worse, and if so, what the impacts were. 1803/8322 (21.7%) who answered said that air pollution had prompted an asthma attack or flare up of symptoms.

2. 4182/8322 (50.3%) of respondents said that air pollution left them feeling breathless.

3. When asked about the impact of air pollution on their daily life, 1549 of 8499 (18.2%) respondents said they don’t leave the house when air pollution is high.

4. 838/8499 (9.9%) said air pollution left them feeling low or depressed.

5. 587/1654 (35.5%) of people who told us that their health was not impacted by air pollution were unaware that it can make lung conditions worse.

6. UK Health Security Agency. 2022. Chemical hazards and poisons report: issue 28. Available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chemical-hazards-and-poisons-report-issue-28.