Dangerous' levels of air pollution are found outside thousands of GP surgeries and hundreds of hospitals, say British Lung Foundation

More than 2,000 GP surgeries and 200 hospitals are in areas with toxic air, a report has found.

It means patients with heart and lung conditions are putting themselves at risk by visiting 2,200 GP surgeries and 248 hospitals, the analysis warns. Measurements of tiny particle pollution, called particulate matter or PM2.5, on these sites exceed World Health Organisation (WHO) levels.

The tiny, invisible particles, can pass directly into the body via the lungs, causing health problems. And patients could exacerbate conditions such as asthma, simply by visiting a health professional.

The British Lung Foundation, which was behind the study by Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants, said it was ‘unacceptable’ that patients are being exposed to the most dangerous type of air pollution.

Alison Cook, director of policy at the charity, said: ‘It can’t be right that hospital staff and GPs must care for people in environments that could worsen their symptoms and could be putting them at risk of a whole range of health problems.’

Air pollution is estimated to be responsible for 40,000 premature deaths in the UK each year, and has been linked to diseases ranging from Alzheimer’s to type 2 diabetes.

Researchers analysed the postcodes of almost 10,000 NHS health centres against pollution readings.

In England, one in three GP practices and one in four hospitals are in areas that exceed the safe levels, it found.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6313665/Dangerous-levels-air-pollution-outside-thousands-GP-surgeries-hundreds-hospitals.html

My idea to reduce air pollution levels in some areas,
Remove all road humps. When approaching a Hump drivers brake, witch puts brake dust into the air. After leaving the Hump, drivers accelerate, witch puts particulates into the air.Multiply this by millions of cars doing the same ????????

nicko wrote:My idea to reduce air pollution levels in some areas,
Remove all road humps.    When approaching a Hump drivers brake, witch puts brake dust into the air.  After leaving the Hump, drivers accelerate, witch puts particulates into the air.Multiply this by millions of cars doing the same ????????

Brilliant synthesis of factors, nicko. I didn't expect that. Good on you, mate.

Thank you Quill, I'v thought this for years !

I used to work in a dental surgery and the air in there was polluted with particles of teeth (yep), particles of blood (yep) and the stench from the drains outside was horrid.

Imagine what goes down those drains outside a dental surgery or a hospital?

I can well believe this article - because of working at the dental practice - I’ve thought this about hospitals a few times over the years.