Air pollution is an invisible danger - and we’re using data to help fight it

Around 160,000 people a year receive an asthma diagnosis, which is more than are diagnosed with any other lung condition. Now, research using NHS data has shown an undeniable link between poor air quality and asthma; in some parts of the country, it is linked to 33% of childhood asthma cases.

But it isn’t just asthma that pollution can cause. Research undertaken by Born in Bradford (BiB), a project following the lives of over 13,776 children born between 2007 and 2011 and their families, found links between pollution and low birth weight of babies in Bradford.

As children grow up, BiB has found exposure to air pollution during early life is also related to higher blood pressure, and poorer brain development at ages 4 to 5. They have also found large increases in health service visits for breathing difficulties after days with high pollution.

The research identifies that reducing exposure to pollution is likely to have a big impact on improving health, particularly for those most vulnerable. One way to do this is to reduce the number of polluting vehicles driving in the city.

The data is now making real-life improvements to everyday lives in West Yorkshire. In 2018, Bradford Council developed a clean air plan, including the introduction of Clean Air Zones. These are areas where targeted action is taken to improve air quality such as introducing electric buses and designing routes to reduce journey times.

Meanwhile, an environmental research study has found that Bradford’s clean air zone has reduced air pollution and saved the NHS about £30,700 a month in its first year.

And this is only the beginning. Using data we can and will see real changes – in fact, clean air zones are now live in 7 large cities across England.

Breathing easier, powered by NHS data.

Learn more about asthma and air pollution.