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Health of over 50% of Bristol surveyrespondents suffering due to poor air quality
Bristol Green Party has conducted a survey of residents from across the city, which shows that over half are having problems with their health. To date, the survey has been completed by 540 people, and 52% believe their health has been affected.
The reasons people give include: getting asthma, or it being made worse; shortness of breath or tightness of breath; coughing or choking sensation, dryness of mouth and throat, stinging of eyes; increase in allergies; chest infections; headaches; chronic rhinitis; hayfever much worse; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Charlie Bolton, Green Party councillor said
“It is quite extraordinary that such a percent of local people tell us that their health is being damaged by poor air quality. By far and away, the most common problem has been to do with asthma. Our poor air quality either causes it, or makes it worse. But the survey shows that there are a whole host of impacts.”
It is believed that 300 people a year in Bristol die as a result of poor air quality. The two most worrying pollutants are nitrogen dioxide – where 30 sites in Bristol show levels are illegal, and particulate pollutant PM2.5 – which are very small particles (of anything) which can be small enough to avoid the body’s defence systems.
Greens are launching the ‘#LetBristolBreathe’ campaign (1) for better air quality in the city. In particular, they are pushing a 5 point plan (2) for cleaner air, and want the council to designate Bristol a ‘Clean Air Zone’ at the earliest possible date.
Greens are still looking for people to respond to their survey, which can be found at http://www.bristolgreenparty.org.uk/tell-us-what-you-think-about-air-pollution-in-bristol
1. #LetBristolBreathe http://www.bristolgreenparty.org.uk/airpollution
2. 5 point plan http://www.bristolgreenparty.org.uk/five-point-plan