Air pollution is placing a staggering financial and health burden on the UK, costing more than £500 million each week due to medical expenses, strain on the NHS, and lost productivity, according to a new report by the Royal College of Physicians (“RCP”).
The report estimates that air pollution is responsible for approximately 30,000 deaths annually in the UK, with an associated economic burden of £27 billion due to healthcare expenses, lost productivity and diminished quality of life. When broader effects — such as the potential link to dementia are included, the total economic cost could reach up to £50 billion.
New evidence presented in the report outlines the dangerous effects of polluted air on foetal development, and its strong connections to cancer, cardiovascular disease, strokes, mental health disorders and dementia.
The report emphasizes that there is no safe threshold for exposure to pollutants and even indoor air can pose a risk from such things as damp/mould from poor ventilation, emissions from heating and cooking and even cleaning product potentially contributing.
Just last month, the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill, also known as Ella’s Law, was reintroduced to Parliament and is due for its second reading in November this year.
Air Pollution and its potentially harmful effects will certainly be an issue to watch, particularly given reports such as that from the RCP showing the ongoing developing knowledge of the risks and impacts. The full report can be read here.
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