How does it affect me?

Illustraion of child We all need the air around us in the atmosphere to breathe and to live. However, some people do find that air pollution affects their health and wellbeing.

When air pollution is higher than usual, people who already have heart or lung problems are more likely to become unwell and need treatment. They should take their doctor' advice.

Healthy people will not usually notice any effects at all. However, if air pollution reaches "very high" levels, even some healthy people may get a sore or dry throat, sore eyes or perhaps a tickly cough.

Children need not stay away from school, or avoid taking part in games, because of air pollution. Children with asthma should make sure they have their usual medicines with them on days when levels of air pollution are higher than usual.

However, different people are affected in different ways. So, anyone who has asthma or any other health problem that may make them sensitive to pollution should take the advice of their doctor.

But air pollution isn't only harmful to humans. Some pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide contribute to acid rain, which can damage crops, forests and materials, or harm animals and fish.

Measuring air pollution

Pollutant character illustrationAir pollution is measured on a scale from 1 to 10.

Air pollution is Low if it is 1 to 3, Moderate if it is 4 to 6, High if it is 7 to 9 and Very High if it is 10 on the scale.

You can check the pollution levels on the homepage!