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Clean air campaigns

Lung conditions are the third biggest killer in the UK. Toxic air contributes to up to 43,000 of these deaths every year.

We need urgent action to clean up the air we breathe. 

A public health emergency

The impact of breathing in toxic air is devastating. It’s a public health emergency contributing to the early deaths of up to 43,000 people every year in the UK.

Where is the toxic air coming from? 

The majority of this pollution is coming from vehicle emissions, especially from older diesel engines.

How is toxic air affecting our health? 

Toxic air is having a devastating impact on people's lungs. It can stunt the growth of children's lungs so that they don't develop properly, worsen existing lung conditions like asthma and COPD and lead to the development of serious long-term conditions like lung cancer. It can even affect your mental health. 

Short term effects of toxic air: 

In the short term, breathing in toxic air could have the following immediate effects: 

  • inflammation and irritation of the lining of your airways, which can cause symptoms such as coughing and difficulty breathing.
  • asthma attacks, heart attacks or COPD flare-ups for people with lung or heart conditions, and potentially hospitalisation.

Long term effects of toxic air: 

Over the longer term being exposed to toxic air can lead to: 

  • increased chance of early death, lung cancer and cardiovascular disease
  • damage to developing lungs and brains during pregnancy
  • increased chance of low birth weight and premature birth in newborns
  • likely to cause new cases of asthma
  • stunted and smaller lungs in children, increasing the chance of lung infections and future lung problems
  • potentially increased risk of type 2 diabetes and dementia

What can we do about it? 

The UK government knows that air pollution levels in the UK are way above limits set by the World Health Organisation. But they’re not doing enough about it. This needs to change.  

We’re working on campaigns that will help influence policy to make these changes, and achieve a future with cleaner air for all.

We're calling for big changes nationally as well as tailored changes in local communities. This way we can make sure that the right solutions are introduced at the right level.   

Our blog

A young man in a pink hoodie stands next to a woman in a white blazer, both smiling beside a large portrait of him displayed on an easel in a wood-panelled room
Campaigning

Maksim fights for his right to breathe clean air

Maksim has asthma and was only nine years old when he first started campaigning for every child’s right to breathe clean air. He first got involved when his mum Julia helped to launch a successful battle to prevent the local council from building a car park next to his primary school in Manchester City Centre. Maksim, now 14, has become one of Asthma + Lung UK’s most dedicated campaigners for clean air since then. Here he tells us about his journey to joining the fight for clean air.
A group of school children in blue and red uniforms stand inside a grand council chamber holding signs that read "We're fighting for clean air," with banners for Asthma + Lung UK in the background
Campaigning

Fighting for clean air at the elections

Last week, communities across England voted for their new Metro Mayors. Here in the Clean Air team at Asthma + Lung UK, we’ve been busy making sure that mayoral candidates understood the need to protect everyone’s lungs from toxic air. Read on to hear what we’ve been doing across the UK to keep the pressure on for clean air in our communities.
A person in a black shirt covers their nose and mouth with their clothing while standing next to a busy road filled with cars
Campaigning

Clean air zones: making sure no one is left behind

Road traffic is one of the leading sources of air pollution in the UK’s towns and cities, and urgent action is needed to clean up the way we travel. However, some communities are disproportionately affected by toxic air and are being excluded from policies designed to tack air pollution. Chloe from our policy team talks us through our new work with IPPR and Transport for All showing how clean air zone policies can be implemented to ensure no one is left behind.

Manifesto for change

We are calling on the new government to make lung health a priority and clean up our toxic air.

Your story

If you have a story to tell about how toxic air has impacted you, or your loved ones please get in touch. By sharing the real human impact of toxic air we can help more people understand it and campaign for change and make sure your voice gets heard.

This is Life + Breath: The Stories of Toxic Air

This is Life + Breath: The Stories of Toxic Air presents the stories of ten people across the UK whose lives and health have been affected by air pollution.

This powerful digital exhibition, shot by the talented Chris O’Donovan, allows audiences to read and hear the experiences of those most impacted by toxic air, while looking directly into the eyes of those whose stories they are learning.

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