Latest News Roundup

The beginning of the 2024 opened with a continuation of the debate on wood burning stoves and the potential for restrictions with fines for their use on high pollution days.

Institutions in Scotland are notably publishing research into air pollution, with the University of Stirling looking at its effect on asthma and Dundee studying air pollution and children.

Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is now looking at a patient's postcode and adding air pollution information to their medical records, so they can take this into consideration when diagnosing conditions.

Countries worldwide are sharing their successes and schemes with air pollution and in January we have seen results from Seoul and Poland.

There is more health news, you are more at risk of heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event if you are exposed to air pollution, more likely to get Parkinson's and air pollution can make you become lethargic.

We close the month with the news that Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, mother of Ella who tragically died aged just 9 from air pollution, is taking High Court action against the Government.

Key takeaway points this month:

• People with asthma in Scotland often stay indoors or walk quickly through polluted areas to avoid exposure to air pollution.
• Dundee study finds children more susceptible to air pollution with higher hospital admissions for children with lung conditions like asthma and chest infections.
• Air pollution taken into consideration on patient records at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
• Poland’s Clean Household Energy Initiative expected to save over 21 000 deaths annually from air pollution by 2030
• Exposure to air pollution makes you more susceptible to heart attack and stroke
• The risk of Parkinson's increases if you are already susceptible
• Air pollution can make you feel lethargic
• Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah takes High Court action for Ella

Read the full articles:

University of Stirling asthma research:

https://www.stir.ac.uk/news/2023/12/study-underlines-impact-of-air-pollution-on-people-with-asthma-in-scotland/

Dundee study on children and hospital admissions:

https://www.dundee.ac.uk/stories/air-pollution-prompts-spikes-child-hospital-admissions-study-finds

GOSH patient records:

https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/news/air-pollution-levels-added-to-patients-postcodes/

Poland's Clean Household Energy Initiative:

https://healthpolicy-watch.news/polands-clean-household-energy-initiative-should-save-over-21-000-deaths-annually-from-air-pollution-by-2030/#:~:text=The%20Polish%20national%20programme%20involves,rate%20of%20about%206000%20weekly.

Heart attack and stroke:

https://www.thecardiologyadvisor.com/general-cardiology/ambient-air-pollution-linked-cardiovascular-disease-cvd-hospitalization/

Parkinson's:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41531-024-00633-1

Lethargy and air pollution:

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/air-pollution-lazy-study-sedentary-behaviour-toxic-b1131363.html

High Court action for Ella:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68068828