London has just broken its 2018 contamination limit. For many of us that is an unpleasant fact, but for some it could be life-threatening, especially if you have asthma and live in the city.
So what’s going on?
It’s only February, but people from King’s College London have already discovered that London’s air contamination levels have risen high enough to cause problems. Londoners are being asked to take care of themselves following this rise in air pollution.
Those with asthma should take extra precautions. According to recent figure, three individuals pass away from an asthma attack every day in the UK.
What are the risks for asthma patients?
We know how perilous air contamination can be when you suffer from asthma. The contaminated air that enters your house could be lethal, or at the very least make you very sick.
Air contamination is a trigger for more than 60 individuals with asthma in the UK. That makes it an exceptionally large number of around a million people possibly unfit to inhale London air.
Numerous individuals with asthma have described an asthma attack as the feeling that somebody is holding a pad over their face. Clearly, when the air is so dirty, an ordinary inhaler may not be enough.
What can be done?
When so many people are being affected by air pollution, we cannot just sit and do nothing. Luckily, positive steps have been taken to tackle the smoky demon.
T-Charge to save lives?
The new T-Charge, which made its appearance in October 2017, may help. The plan aims to get older drivers to pay twice as much to drive in the centre of London. Meanwhile, individuals with asthma should take their medicines as recommended by their doctor, as this will help reduce side effects on high contamination days. Also, keeping your inhaler with you at all times is a must, should a critical situation arise.
If we all support the idea of clean air, this will empower others to cooperate. You can involve yourself by joining your nearest ecological gatherings and keeping in touch with your local MP.
Get more plants
Truth be told, the air inside your home might be even more polluted than the one you’re breathing outside. This is usually the result of all the cooking, cleaning and smoking that’s happening in your house. However, keeping plants in your house may significantly improve the situation as they can increase the level of carbon dioxide by up to 25 per cent. And if your plant is above 20 cm, even better!
Though we cannot fully control the dirt outside we can at least do so in our own homes. That’s why if you need someone to help you clean up your garden so you can enjoy an unpolluted environment, then look up a local service that specialises in garden waste.
Anti-pollution bus stops
Some time ago, air cleaning units made their appearance inside bus shelters, to make it easier for people to breathe cleaner air while waiting for the bus. This idea was first tested on one of the most polluted streets, Marylebone Road. It seems that it passed the test and we’re very glad!
Using eco-friendly home products
The problem with many of our commonly-used home products is that we don’t know for sure whether they’re safe or not. For instance, that lemon scent you use to give your home a fresh feel? That may pose a risk because it can react chemically to generate air pollutants. Also, cleaning products are another big health hazard. Replacing them, as well as any cheap paints or candles, with some eco-friendly or natural alternatives might be a better and healthier choice
Personal air sensors
People who are most at risk, such as asthma sufferers, may find it very useful to purchase a personal air sensor to keep track of heavily polluted areas. This kind of device can monitor exposure to volatile compounds, airborne particulates and nitrogen oxides. All this is done with the help of a mobile app which has a map. It’s basically Google maps, but for pollution. You’ll also get details on wind flow and weather, to help you spot those places where pollution may be at its highest.
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