Air pollution, health and government policies: the challenges in improving the air we breathe

In the UK it is estimated there are approximately 1.2 million people living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD is the UK's fifth biggest killer; in Scotland it is the only major cause of death to be increasing and approximately 100,000 people are currently living with COPD and accounts for over 122,000 bed days in hospital. It is the second most common cause of emergency admission to hospital and costs the NHS approximately £500 million a year to treat. Despite this, COPD has been described as an invisible disease, with most of the population unaware of its existence or prevalence.

External air pollution, predominately caused by vehicles of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) costs the UK economy up to £20billion. Exposure to NO2 is thought to be behind increased mortality (23,500 deaths per year) with particulate matter causing 29,000 deaths in the UK. Furthermore, there is growing evidence of the effects PM has on people living with COPD. Particulate Matter is normally described as PM10 (particles smaller than 10μm) and PM2.5 (particles smaller than 2.5μm) It has been reported in the United States that there is an increase in COPD mortality for every 10μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 outdoor levels.

This presentation will focus on air quality and discuss what the Government policies are doing to improve the air we breathe.