Climate change to bring years of toxic smog
THE toxic smog that smothered most of Britain this week will become more frequent in coming years, experts warned last night.
A mixture of drought, development and intensive farming in North Africa could see dust storms regularly rolling across Britain.
The news comes as Britain emerges from a week of extreme pollution which triggered a surge in health complaints including asthma, sore throats and streaming eyes.
Dr Robert Bryant, of Sheffield University, said population growth in African countries has prompted a rise in farming, which has increased dust in the region.
He said the trend is set to continue, with air travelling to the UK more likely to carry the fine red dust which has contributed to severe pollution this week.
There has been a dramatic increase in some aspects of dust flux, which have doubled over the last 50 years
He said: “There has been a dramatic increase in some aspects of dust flux, which have doubled over the last 50 years.
“Population pressure alone is likely to exacerbate the problem and if current trends continue the amount could double again over the next 50 years.
“As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of droughts, the amount of dust blown into the air will increase as more crops die and the soil becomes drier.”
The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) this week issued a raft of forecasts for high to very high pollution levels across Britain after Saharan dust together with light winds in the UK and pollution from Europe created a “perfect storm” for smog to develop.
Health experts and charities said there had been a rise in the number of people with breathing problems, while emergency services reported a high number of call outs.
Although pollution levels are falling, Public Health England (PHE) last night urged people to check local air quality, especially before taking exercise outdoors.
Dr Sotiris Vardoulakis, head of PHE’s air pollution and climate change group, said: “Although forecasts are for pollution levels to fall over the next 24 hours or so, it’s important that people consider their personal circumstances and the maps before planning any particularly strenuous outdoor activity.
“It’s important people are well informed so they can make their own judgments about their levels of activity.”
The warning comes as tens of thousands of runners prepare to hit the road in preparation for next week’s London marathon.
Mike McKevitt, head of patient services at the British Lung Foundation, said: “It isn’t just people with lung and heart disease that should be diligent.
“Anyone noticing they are more breathless, or coughing or wheezing more than normal, should contact their GP, even if they haven’t experienced any problems.”
Last night Defra warned pollution levels in parts of the country are expected to stay “moderate” through today before finally dropping to “low” tomorrow.
A spokesman said: “Moderate levels of air pollution are forecast for parts of northern England, Wales, south-west Scotland and eastern Northern Ireland, otherwise levels are expected to be low as southwesterly winds continue.
“Low levels of air pollution are expected across almost all parts through Sunday, Monday and Tuesday as cleaner air continues to spread in from the Atlantic.
“It is possible air pollution levels may rise to moderate in isolated areas.”
