Air Pollution Facts
In the UK air pollution causes 36,000 early deaths each year, says the governments committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP). 29,000 of these are due to fine particle and the rest as a result of Nitric Oxide and Nitrogen Dioxide gases.
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Particulate matter (PM) can be classified into two categories; those with diameter less than 10um and those with diameter less than 2.5um. The largest sources of these are combustion and road transport. Both short-term and long-term exposure to PM is linked health impacts such as respiratory and cardiovascular illness and mortality. Those who are under 14 and over 65 as well as those who suffer from chronic health problems are more vulnerable.
What can be done?
The first step that can be taken is to reduce the reliance of transport upon cars. Two thirds of all UK car journeys are under 5 miles. Active transport can be used as a replacement for these short journeys and BreatheSmart's aim is to encourage this.
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To further encourage active transport, in particular cycling, our app provides information on the current cycling infrastructure in place in Birmingham. Details on the location of nearby cycle paths as well as information about their quality, such as safety, can be found.
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To reduce exposure to the harmful pollutants from cars the app can be sued to find the route to your destination that travels through the cleanest air.
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