Poor air quality is a major risk to health throughout Scotland and the UK. Every year, air pollution kills approximately 7 million people prematurely worldwide. In the UK, air pollution kills up to 40,000 people prematurely every year (Royal College of Physicians).
Air pollution increases the chance of having an asthma or COPD exacerbation, as well as worsening other breathing problems. Air pollution also makes heart attacks, strokes, and dementia more likely to happen (Gov UK).
The Clean Air Hub website covers everything you need to know about air pollution. This includes an air pollution forecast which can help you to make decisions about areas you may wish to avoid on high pollution days.
Air pollution is caused by many different things, including small particles, gases, chemicals, and mould. These include fumes from vehicles, cigarette smoke, and fumes from certain cleaning products and paints.
You can personally support reductions in air pollution and improve your health by reducing car use and choosing to walk, cycle, or scoot if you are able. Stopping smoking will also have a big effect on your health and those around you – find out more here.
The levels of air pollution around the surgery are low. You can check the air quality outside your home using addresspollution.org.
Green spaces, such as the Wee Forest next to the surgery can help to keep air pollution levels lower.
Where possible, the GPs walk or cycle to home visits to reduce our contribution to air pollution.