Agencies- Gaza Post
dangerous air pollution increases as London fires problem
In the greater London area during the heatwave last week, dangerous air pollution surged caused by fires which putting hundreds of thousands of people suffering from asthma at risk.
on Tuesday 19 July, nearly 20 houses were partially or completely destroyed, recorded a peak of approximately 100 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) of tiny particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in size (PM 2.5).
PM2.5 is one of the dilemmas of air pollution to human health. in the previous year, organization (WHO) published new guidelines with more stringent recommended limits.
The peak level recorded near the Wennington fire was more than the WHO’s recommended. Asthma+Lung UK said hundreds of thousands of people living with asthma in London risk being caused by the deadly air.
the main component of wildfire smoke and the principal public health threat of wildfire pollution is particulate matter. It is also a by-product of domestic and industrial wood burning and road traffic. The UK annual average at urban background sites last year was around 7.9 µg/m3, while the annual average roadside concentrations were around 8.3 µg/m3.
inhalation the polluted air may cause asthma, lung cancer, strokes and heart disease. Task force for Lung Health said there is also evidence that links PM2.5 to low birth weight, diabetes, and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Major fires in the greater London area on Tuesday 19 July, as the UK topped 40C for the first time on record and firefighters said the extreme heat had led to tinder dry conditions across England.
Marina Romanello said the recorded concentration of particulate matter near the Wennington fire was “extremely high”.
