| Topic: | Re:Vehicle Air Pollution: Health Effects | |
| Posted by: | Richard Hodges | |
| Date/Time: | 09/03/12 15:45:00 |
| When we see generational reductions in vehicle pollution (seen as one of the triggers) and the absolute air pollution, but rising incidence of asthma and allergy, one has to believe there are other factors driving that rise. That side of the problem is not something I would claim any expertise in. My own suspicion is that the issue is increased sensitivity. I certainly remember that in Jaime Oliver's School Dinners programme, anecdotally they saw a dramatic fall in asthma issues. I would like to know more about that, since such attacks are a meeting of sensitivity and trigger. Several other issues, including dust mites, seem to be major factors. That's not to say we should ignore or forget that the urban pollution we know is producing dilute nitric acid in our mucus, oxidising radicals attacking our cells, irritating chemical compounds and potentially carcinogenic particles deep into our pores and lungs. No amount is totally safe, but exposure is inevitable. What matters is not what is safe (unless you are prepared to live in a bubble), but what is considered to be acceptable. Street-level pollution (whatever the source) has to be considered in this context. What is your exposure to vehicle-sourced pollutants? But what is your exposure to other sources? - A barbecue or bonfire? - Cement dust from nearby building work? - Airborne dust from the wheat harvest (for those who think the country life is so much cleaner)? And stubble burning is off the scale. - Even that steak you fried last night. In an enclosed environment, your exposure is high. All of these can produce remarkably high levels of various pollutants as a component of your annual exposure. I'm not pushing for a ban on barbecue charcoal, but are you willing to give up certain activities that have a disproportionate impact on your personal exposure? It is not possible for me to determine or advise on safe levels - my knowledge is through the engineering and statistic analysis. For now, I'll go with the levels advised by the EU's experts, and presume they are fair targets - they may be slightly weak, but not as far off as they were 20-30 years ago. I also wouldn't really want to go too far down that particular route as it's really chasing windmills. There are some very clear actions that we can be working on now - more than enough to keep us busy. |