Air Pollution
Healthy Places
Air Quality
Environment
Asthma
Environmental Health
Respiratory Health
Urban Air Pollution
Climate Change and Air Quality
Public Health Risks
Clean Air Initiatives
Air pollution
Introduction
The environment and the air we breathe around us has an effect on our mental and physical health. We cannot see the particles that we breathe as most of the time air pollution is not visible. A major population health issue is air quality, as it affects every one of us. Poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to population health in the UK1 and air pollution ranks alongside cancer, heart disease and obesity as a health risk issue2.
Air pollution is a substance or complex mixture of particles and gases in the air that can cause harm to people and their health as well as to animals and plants. Air pollutants can come from natural sources such as windblown dust and from human sources such as from energy industries, factories as well as road, rail and air transport. Since the 1980s air pollution has significantly improved due to the decrease in sulphur dioxide from coal and lead from petrol, but it still poses a risk to health for the population. The most important air pollutants are particle matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and other air pollutants including sulphur dioxide, non-methane volatile organic compounds, ammonia and ozone.
The majority of ammonia emissions in England are caused by farming practices, such as storage of slurries, manures, digest from anaerobic digestion and fertilisers3.
Ozone comes from a mix of certain pollutants. Natural O3 at a ground level is an irritant gas which is known to have an impact on health and can trigger inflammation of the respiratory tract, eyes, nose and throat as well as asthma attacks4. In the United Kingdom this tends to occur in the summer months when the temperature is high enough to cause the mixing of the pollutants. Unlike the pollutants above, ozone cannot be managed locally5.
Air pollution varies substantially over small distances. It is typically highest near to emission sources and the amounts can decline rapidly as you move further away from the source. For example, pollution levels next to a busy road can vary from the part of the pavement nearest to the traffic to the part of the pavement farthest away. Intense sources, such as busy roads and junctions, lead to the creation of localised pollution ‘hotspots’ where very high levels of pollution can occur6.
Derbyshire is a land locked county and as such some air pollution is not restricted to boundaries.
Why is it important to Population Health?
Air pollution is important to population health because it directly impacts the wellbeing of communities. It contributes to various health problems, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, affecting people of all ages. Tackling air pollution is essential for promoting healthier lives and reducing health disparities within the population:
Mortality: The mortality burden of air pollution in the United Kingdom in 2019 was an effect equivalent to between 29,000 to 43,000 a year for adults aged 30 and over, with England estimated between 26,000 and 38,0007. This can also be expressed as 340,000 life years lost from the population. The risk of death is especially increased for people who are already vulnerable.
Air pollution is strongly associated with all-cause mortality statistics. The all-cause mortality statistic captured in the Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF, indicator 3.01) ranks air pollution in the top 5-7 causes of mortality in polluted areas, ahead of many other PHOF preventable mortality indicators like road deaths, excess winter deaths or communicable diseases.
Influence on Health: Air pollution contributes to cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases. It also leads to an increase chance of hospital admissions, visits to emergency departments and respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms which interfere with everyday life8. Sometimes we have episodes of air pollution with high levels of pollution which can cause short term health issues as well as long term exposure at lower levels.
Exposure; Long and Short-term: Long term exposure to air pollution can have negative effects on health throughout our life course, from pre-birth to old age and it is associated with impacts on lung development in children, heart disease, stroke, cancer, exacerbation of asthma and increased mortality, among other health effects.
Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy can cause low birth weight. In children it can cause asthma, slower development of lung function, cause more wheezing and coughing and the start of atherosclerosis. Within adults air pollution can cause asthma, coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and diabetes. In older people it can cause asthma, accelerated decline in lung function, diabetes, dementia and heart attack, heart failure and strokes.
Short-term exposure, (over hours or days) can lead to health impacts such as coughing, wheezing, intensifying asthma symptoms, an increase in respiratory and cardiovascular admissions to hospital and mortality. Those at particular risk include children, over 65s and people who have immune suppression. People living with asthma may have to increase usage of inhaler reliever medication in days when levels of air pollution are higher than average and need to follow medical advice.
Population health initiatives can reduce the burden on healthcare systems and improve the lives of individuals. You can find out the air quality in your area on the government’s UK air website.
The Derbyshire Population Health Approach
The Derbyshire Population Health Approach focuses on prevention, population health, evidence-informed practices, causes, and collaboration. It emphasises proactive measures to prevent health issues, tailors interventions to specific populations, incorporates evidence-informed practices, addresses underlying causes, and promotes collaboration for effective action.
When considering the topic of air pollution within The Derbyshire Population Health Approach:
The key airborne pollutants which have an adverse impact on health are respirable particulate (PM10), fine particulate (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Road transport is estimated to be responsible for up to 70% of the harm associated with air pollution.
All local authorities in the United Kingdom have a duty to review and assess local air quality. The eight district and borough councils within Derbyshire monitor air pollution throughout the county. There are also additional Automatic Urban and Rural Monitoring Network sites at Ladybower reservoir for rural background, Chesterfield Roadside for urban traffic and Chesterfield Loundsley Green for urban background measurements. Further information can be found here.
Air pollution is harmful to everyone, but is effects the most vulnerable and marginalised the most. Improving air quality is likely to have an enormous impact on population health. A population-focused approach involves understanding how different communities and demographics are affected by air pollution. Vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, may be more susceptible to its effects. Tailoring interventions to protect these groups is a key component of this approach.
Utilising evidence-informed practices is essential in addressing air pollution. This includes conducting air quality assessments, health impact studies, and research on the sources of pollution. Evidence guides the development of policies and interventions to reduce the health risks associated with poor air quality. Policy and guidance is available through Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
In 2020, Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah became the first person in the world to have air pollution listed as a cause of death on her death certificate. Ella was 7 years old when she developed asthma and two years later, in 2013, at the age of 9 she died in part due to exposure to traffic emission, having lived near a major road for the majority of her life. “Ella died of asthma contributed by exposure to excessive air pollution”9.
The heart-breaking story of Ella highlights that understanding the causes of air pollution is central to addressing the issue. This involves identifying sources of pollution, whether from industrial processes, transportation, or natural events. Addressing these causes may involve regulatory changes, emission reductions, and community-based initiatives to reduce pollution.
Improvements in air pollution cannot be achieved in isolation and require the action of organisations, businesses and individuals across Derbyshire. This includes partnerships between government agencies, environmental organisations, healthcare providers, and the public. Collaborative efforts can lead to the development of clean air policies, public awareness campaigns, and community actions to reduce air pollution collectively.
Each year district and borough councils produce an Annual Status Report which includes a range of measures which will support the long-term improvement in air pollution. A Derbyshire wide Action Plan has been produced to look at the short-term measures that can be implemented over the coming 18 months.
The Derbyshire Air Quality Working Group was established under the health and wellbeing board and is a partnership that looks at ways local partners can work together to support, co-ordinate and deliver programmes of work that support improvements in air quality, mainly focused on behaviour change linked to public health priorities. There are also specific responsibilities the district, borough and county councils hold in relation to air quality such as highways and local transport.
Latest Derbyshire Data
Trend Data
Derbyshire Quilt
Prevalence Maps of Derbyshire
The maps below illustrate Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) and Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs) for Derbyshire. LSOAs and MSOAs are geographical divisions used for statistical purposes, allowing for more detailed analysis of local data. In these maps, you can explore various health indicators and data for Derbyshire, providing valuable insights into the area’s health and wellbeing.
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In the top right of the map, you’ll find the ‘Layer Control’ icon. This is an easy way to customise what you see on the map visualisation. Click the ‘Layer Control’ to choose which information is displayed on the map. Pick the indicator that interests you the most, and the map will transform accordingly. |
Slope Index
This chart illustrates the differences in health and lifestyle factors across areas in Derbyshire, from the most deprived (decile 1, red) to the least deprived (decile 10, green). As you move from left to right on the chart (from more deprived to less deprived areas), the line shows whether these factors are becoming more or less common. Essentially, it’s a way to see how living in wealthier or poorer areas affects the prevalence of these factors.
Further Analysis & Assessments
Derbyshire Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) involves a thorough examination of a specific health problem, exploring its causes, consequences, and underlying factors. It combines various data sources, collaboration with stakeholders, and rigorous analysis to generate insights for evidence-informed interventions and policy changes.
More Information & Resources
Here is a list of useful resources and information to help prevent issues related to air pollution. These materials are meant to provide individuals, healthcare professionals, and communities with the knowledge and tools they need as part of efforts to address air pollution-related harm.
- Air Quality Management Areas - District and borough councils within Derbyshire monitor air quality and this can lead to the declaration of Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA). AQMA mean that individuals are exposed to levels of air pollution that are harmful to health.
- Smoke Control Areas - A Smoke Control Area in the UK is a designated zone where restrictions are imposed on the use of fuels and appliances to reduce air pollution and limit smoke emissions. Only approved fuels and appliances are allowed, with a focus on cleaner alternatives, like smokeless coal and certain types of wood.
- Green Town Schemes – 20 mph pilot zones in Buxton and Long Eaton to assess if lower speed limits in towns could improve health and encourage other forms of transport.
- Health Protection Strategy 2023 - This strategy sets out our health protection priorities in Derby and Derbyshire and clarifies and drives the work of the Health Protection Board. It also sets out how we are going to ensure delivery the strategy and measure success.
Contributors
Rachael Hughes, Service Manager, Environmental Health
Russell Sinclair, Public Health Lead, Public Health