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.
Read our manifesto for change
For the upcoming general election we are calling on all political parties to finally take lung health seriously by committing to set bold new diagnosis targets, invest in lung health research and tackle 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.