Poor air quality continues to be the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK. Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause and make worse chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer.
Short-term exposure (over hours or days) to air pollution can also cause complications with breathing conditions such as asthma.
Whilst air quality levels in Suffolk are generally very good, there are eight areas in the county where pollution levels are higher, known as air quality management areas. Four of these areas are in Ipswich.
Air pollution affects us all and it is important that we all do our bit to improve air quality in Suffolk.
In May, Suffolk County Council published its strategy and action plan for improving air quality in the county. The strategy has been developed in partnership between Suffolk County Council’s Public Health and Communities directorate and the Growth, Highways and Infrastructure directorate, with contributions from our district and borough councils, NHS and the University of Suffolk.
The strategy outlines some of the things we can all do to improve air quality where we live, alongside an action plan which sets out specific actions which the council and partners are taking to raise awareness of and improve air quality.
For example, last month saw National Clean Air Day. This year’s theme was ‘Clean up our air to look after your mind’, highlighting the link between pollution and mental health.
Here in Suffolk, we invited people to take part in ‘A Mile for My Mind’ - to walk, cycle or scoot a mile, helping to break the habit of driving short journeys and demonstrating just how easy, cheap and enjoyable swapping the car for more active modes of travel can be.
On average 7% of journeys undertaken by car are just 1 mile or less, which for many people can be walked or cycled in under 20 minutes. If every car journey in Suffolk of under a mile was walked or cycled, it would result in more than 40,000 fewer car journeys per day and 15 million fewer car journeys per year. The benefits of walking, cycling or scooting that 1 mile are huge: cleaner healthier air and improved fitness, mental health and wellbeing.
Alongside our District and Borough Council partners, we led 10 organised walks and cycles across the county and it was great to see residents getting involved and posting about it on social media.
Using more active methods of travel is a simple way we can all reduce air pollution, and I am delighted that earlier this year Suffolk County Council secured £7.9m from the government to fund Active Travel schemes around the county, encouraging cycling and walking through measures such as cycle lanes, shared-use paths and improved crossing points on roads.
Earlier this month, the council also received a further £1.49m to take part in Active Travel England’s Social Prescribing pilot scheme, helping councils evaluate the impact of active travel on an individual’s physical and mental health, such as through reduced demand for healthcare appointments and reliance on medication due to more physical activity.
Another key element of Suffolk’s Air Quality Strategy is a public engagement plan to increase awareness of the health impacts of air quality in Suffolk, enabling individuals to make choices that protect both their health and the health of others, from the harmful effects of pollution.
Earlier this month, our Air Quality Engagement Officers attended the Indian Summer Mela event in Ipswich and the Ipswich Music Day to get a better understanding of what people know about air pollution and its effects on their health. The team spoke to over 60 people about pollution and health and whilst there was a general understanding that pollution could lead to coughs and asthma the majority of people were surprised to learn of its links to stroke, heart disease, dementia and mental ill health. But there’s a question we all need to answer: what can we all do to make our air cleaner and healthier?
- If you can, leave the car at home for short journeys and instead walk or cycle – even if it is just for some of your short journeys. Plan your route away from busy roads and make the most of the Suffolk sights by downloading the Go Jauntly Route Planning App or Discover Suffolk Apps.
- Reduce single use car travel by car sharing – visit www.liftshare.com to find out more and sign-up.
- Use public transport – Suffolk Onboard is a great resource for planning journeys using public transport
- Switch off your vehicle engine if you are likely to be stationary for more than 60 seconds. Not only will this save you money on fuel but it can reduce local pollution by up to 30% and the effects are immediate.
- If you use a log burner, follow DEFRA advice on cleaner home burning to reduce the amount of pollution you produce and the amount you breathe in
- If you are driving in a congested area, keep your vehicle windows closed and turn on air recirculation to reduce your exposure to pollution from the vehicles around you.
If you would like to understand more about what we are doing to improve air quality in Suffolk, visit the Air Quality page where you can read our Air Quality Strategy alongside more ideas about how we can all help to improve air quality in Suffolk.
You can also find us at the Ipswich Multicultural Festival in Alexandra Park on 23 July as well as at a host of free events across Suffolk over the Summer. Keep an eye on our website and social media for dates.
