Research Shows That Clean Air Zones Are Improving Our Health

Air pollution is one of the greatest challenges facing mankind.

It is not just the effect pollution is having on global warming but the damage done to our health, with cardiovascular and respiratory problems linked to air pollution. But the good news is that clean air zones improve our health.

In an effort to tackle air pollution, Clean Air Zones have been used in certain cities across the UK in a bid to improve the quality of air and public health.

What are Clean Air Zones?

Clean Air Zones are areas within cities where air pollution control systems have been put in place to try and curb the problem and bring about an improvement in air quality.

The idea was part of a broader Air Quality Plan, introduced by the government in its bid to take urgent action against air pollution.

By diluting powers to local authorities it is hoped that the sum of the parts can lead to better air quality across the UK at a national level.

There are four bands of Clean Air Zones – A to D – with A affecting only buses, coaches, taxis, and private hire vehicles, and D including all of the above plus heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses, and cars. Local authorities also have the option to include motorcycles.

In the UK, there are seven Clear Air Zones (Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield, and Tyneside), with an eighth – Greater Manchester – under review.

Clean air for both the environment and the healthcare system

How air pollution affects health:

Poor air quality is not just a threat to the planet but a threat to our health too – in the UK it represents the greatest environmental risk to public health.

Long-term exposure to air pollution can contribute to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and lung cancer, which in turn can reduce life expectancy.

In the short term, higher-than-normal levels of exposure to pollution can impact lung functions, exacerbate asthma, and increase the number of admissions to hospitals for respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

How pollution affects healthcare systems:

The consequences of this are felt by the National Health Service too.

An additional 20,000 hospital admissions each year are said to be linked to air pollution episodes.

Sufferers of lung conditions can be left struggling to breathe, while potentially exacerbating symptoms of common respiratory disorders such as asthma.

It can also make it tough for people with breathing difficulties to exercise due to the poor quality of air when running or cycling.

Clean air zones are having a positive impact on public health

Across the UK, Europe and Japan there are over 320 Low Emission Zones in operation.

While the difference between these zones differs making direct comparisons sometimes troublesome, studies are beginning to show the positives of clean air zones.

Using data from before and after the introduction of such zones, five of eight Low Emission Zones researched showed a reduction in heart and circulatory problems when a zone was implemented – with fewer hospital admissions and fewer deaths as a result of heart attacks and stroke.

Some studies have found different results. Of five covering zone in Germany, Japan and the UK, looking at breathing and lung problems, two showed improvements, while the others found no definite result.

Conclusion

Clear air zones are comparatively new and therefore it may be some time before we get conclusive positive results from research. Nonetheless, it is very clear that clean air zones improve our health.