Physiotherapists also concerned about pollution at airports
29th March, 2006
The Chartered Society Of Phyisiotherpists has joined the great airports debate. They have listed the many airports in the UK where air pollution is a health risk.
The Chartered Society Of Physiotherapists has joined the great airports debate. They have listed the many airports in the UK where air pollution is a health risk.Their press release said: “CSP study shows some exceed EU limits by up to 75 per centLevels of a toxic atmospheric pollutant exceed EU limits at most airports in England, according to a new report published today by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
Over two thirds (16 out of 23) of the airports included in the CSP’s study recorded dangerously high levels of nitrogen dioxide – a noxious gas that irritates the airways of the lungs and causes breathing difficulties.
The EU says nitrogen dioxide levels need to stay below 40 micrograms per cubic metre of air (mcg/m3) to be safe, but airports in Newcastle, Birmingham and London (Heathrow and Gatwick) exceed this recommendation by up to 75 per cent.
Readings at airports in Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool, Sheffield, Humberside, London (City), Southampton, Exeter and Gloucester are up to 50 per cent higher than the EU target.
Respiratory physiotherapists say the consequences of being exposed to the gas can be especially severe among people with existing lung conditions, like asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.”
For the full press release, including a list giving air pollution levels at many, see link below.