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Air pollution: High levels to spread across England Air pollution: High levels to spread across England
(35 minutes later)
Government health advice has been issued amid warnings pollution spreading across England will again hit high levels later.Government health advice has been issued amid warnings pollution spreading across England will again hit high levels later.
Defra issued warnings as high pollution levels were recorded on Tuesday.Defra issued warnings as high pollution levels were recorded on Tuesday.
The pollution - a mix of local and European emissions and dust from the Sahara - is forecast in parts of south England, the Midlands and East Anglia.The pollution - a mix of local and European emissions and dust from the Sahara - is forecast in parts of south England, the Midlands and East Anglia.
The elderly and those with lung or heart disease are urged to avoid strenuous exercise outside.The elderly and those with lung or heart disease are urged to avoid strenuous exercise outside.
Defra has a 10-point scale for measuring air quality - with 1 meaning there is a "low" risk of air pollution and 10 warning of "very high" levels.Defra has a 10-point scale for measuring air quality - with 1 meaning there is a "low" risk of air pollution and 10 warning of "very high" levels.
On Wednesday morning levels were recorded at 6 - meaning moderate - in East Anglia, with pollution readings reaching level 5 in the South East and areas of north-east England. On Wednesday levels were recorded at 6 - meaning moderate - in East Anglia and the South East, with pollution readings reaching level 5 in London and areas of north-east England.
However, forecasters say pollution levels could reach high levels later in the day and on Thursday, before clearing on Friday.However, forecasters say pollution levels could reach high levels later in the day and on Thursday, before clearing on Friday.
The BBC weather centre said the highest recordings are likely to be in East Anglia and the East Midlands, while moderate to high air pollution levels are also forecast for large parts of southern and central England.The BBC weather centre said the highest recordings are likely to be in East Anglia and the East Midlands, while moderate to high air pollution levels are also forecast for large parts of southern and central England.
In parts of Wales, areas around Wirral and Merseyside, as well as Devon, levels are likely to be moderate.In parts of Wales, areas around Wirral and Merseyside, as well as Devon, levels are likely to be moderate.
It comes as pollution levels hit the maximum of 10 in north-west Norfolk on Tuesday.It comes as pollution levels hit the maximum of 10 in north-west Norfolk on Tuesday.
Advice on the Defra website states that for high levels of pollution: "Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, should reduce strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors, and particularly if they experience symptoms.Advice on the Defra website states that for high levels of pollution: "Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, should reduce strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors, and particularly if they experience symptoms.
"People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Older people should also reduce physical exertion.""People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Older people should also reduce physical exertion."
It adds that "anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors".It adds that "anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors".
Dr Paul Cosford from Public Health England told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that pollution levels were "clearly a serious issue".Dr Paul Cosford from Public Health England told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that pollution levels were "clearly a serious issue".
However, he said it was "important we don't get it out of proportion".However, he said it was "important we don't get it out of proportion".
He said the "vast majority" of people would suffer no harm from the pollution levels, but said people with health issues should take extra care.He said the "vast majority" of people would suffer no harm from the pollution levels, but said people with health issues should take extra care.
Andrew Sibley, specialist forecaster for the Met Office, said: "Conditions are going to get worse again as we go through Wednesday and the rest of the week."Andrew Sibley, specialist forecaster for the Met Office, said: "Conditions are going to get worse again as we go through Wednesday and the rest of the week."
He said that a south-easterly wind would bring with it yet more pollution from Europe, and further compound the situation in the UK.He said that a south-easterly wind would bring with it yet more pollution from Europe, and further compound the situation in the UK.
Mr Sibley said that dust and sand particles from the Saharan desert could easily get swept up by high winds and carried thousands of miles across the globe.Mr Sibley said that dust and sand particles from the Saharan desert could easily get swept up by high winds and carried thousands of miles across the globe.
"The dust gets caught by rain particles and that's how it ends up being visible on the ground," he said."The dust gets caught by rain particles and that's how it ends up being visible on the ground," he said.
A Defra spokeswoman said: "The high level of air pollution this week is due to a combination of local emissions, light winds, pollution from the continent and dust blown over from the Sahara.A Defra spokeswoman said: "The high level of air pollution this week is due to a combination of local emissions, light winds, pollution from the continent and dust blown over from the Sahara.
"We want to keep improving air quality and have introduced a new five-day forecast service in addition to investing heavily in local and transport initiatives to tackle this issue head-on.""We want to keep improving air quality and have introduced a new five-day forecast service in addition to investing heavily in local and transport initiatives to tackle this issue head-on."
'Understand the risks''Understand the risks'
Northern Ireland and Scotland will see low air pollution on Wednesday, with isolated moderate levels possible in urban and other areas.
High levels of pollution are expected to continue across East Anglia and the Midlands on Thursday. But they are expected to drop by Friday.
The BBC's environment correspondent Roger Harrabin said the episode could bring further attention to the government's long-term struggle to reduce air pollution.The BBC's environment correspondent Roger Harrabin said the episode could bring further attention to the government's long-term struggle to reduce air pollution.
The EU has launched legal proceedings against the UK for failing to reduce "excessive" levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollution - mostly from traffic - after 15 years of warnings, he added.The EU has launched legal proceedings against the UK for failing to reduce "excessive" levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollution - mostly from traffic - after 15 years of warnings, he added.
Professor Rob MacKenzie, an atmospheric scientist from the University of Birmingham, said that "if you're a healthy adult, then I think there's nothing to be worried about". Dr Keith Prowse, honorary medical adviser to the British Lung Foundation, warned higher pollution levels could have a "significant impact" on people with respiratory conditions.
Maria Arnold, from the environmental law group Client Earth, called for changes to the way pollution warnings are given, saying the public is "generally very poorly warned about these type of events". "People who use a reliever inhaler should make sure that they carry it with them. If they feel that their conditions are worsening then they should contact their GPs," he said.
Kay Boycott, chief executive of Asthma UK, said the two-thirds of people with asthma who find that air pollution makes their condition worse "will be at an increased risk of an attack".
Meanwhile, Maria Arnold, from the environmental law group Client Earth, called for changes to the way pollution warnings are given, saying the public is "generally very poorly warned about these type of events".
"We think the [warning] format needs to become very similar to the warnings for floods and heat waves. It is really important people understand the risks.""We think the [warning] format needs to become very similar to the warnings for floods and heat waves. It is really important people understand the risks."
Have you experienced the effects of air pollution? Have you seen evidence of Saharan dust and sand particles where you live? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with 'pollution' in the subject.Have you experienced the effects of air pollution? Have you seen evidence of Saharan dust and sand particles where you live? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with 'pollution' in the subject.
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