The Government has urged vulnerable people living in York to take care outside on Thursday as pollution levels reach high levels.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has recorded 'moderate' levels of air pollution at its York Bootham monitoring station and 'high' levels at the York Fishergate site. 

York Fishergate is currently listed at the level 7 alert for air pollution, largely affecting people with asthma and older generations.

Meanwhile York Bootham saw pollution levels reach Defra's level 5 index, a 'moderate' rating exactly half way on the scale. 

York Press: Photo by Sue Smith, York Press Camera Club member, of Springtime in York. Photo taken March 2022.Photo by Sue Smith, York Press Camera Club member, of Springtime in York. Photo taken March 2022.

Health officials have advised adults and children with lung or heart problems, including asthma, to reduce exercise or physical exertion outside.

Those with asthma may also find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often.

In a public health message about 'high' levels via the Defra website, the Government explained: "Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, should reduce strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors, and particularly if they experience symptoms.

"People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Older people should also reduce physical exertion.

"Anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors."

The Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI) is numbered 1-10 from low to very high and divided into four bands.

Defra has forecast areas of moderate to high air pollution across the UK into Friday.

In March 2020, researchers saw air pollution in UK cities fall as the nation went into lockdown.

As daily life ground to a halt in the UK, with a sharp reduction in traffic that causes much of the air pollution in cities, air quality started to improve.

Air pollution causes an estimated 40,000 early deaths in the UK each year.

Air pollution is linked to health problems including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and disease, and respiratory diseases and infections, as well as stunting the growth of children’s lungs.

Assistant Director for Public Health at City of York Council, Fiona Philips, said: “York, along with many other areas of the UK, is currently experiencing moderate to high levels of air pollution based on DEFRA’s Daily Air Quality Index scale. 

"The moderate to high index values currently shown for the UK are based on elevated levels of particulate pollution, made worse by the current weather conditions.

"The advice to reduce exercise is for those people who are vulnerable due to respiratory conditions and not for all of the population. Members of the public, particularly those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions, are urged to review the forecasts shown at https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/forecasting/?day=1#forecast_map and review the actions and health advice shown here: https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/air-pollution/daqi

"City of York Council is committed to improving air quality and has a Low Emission Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan to tackle air pollution."

She said the council had undertaken various measures to improve air quality, including:

  • Delivered a fully electric Park&Ride (P&R) site at Poppleton Bar and introduced electric buses across other P&R sites. 
  • Launched a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) for buses - buses making five or more entrances to the city centre CAZ per day are now required to be Ultra Low Emission
  • Implemented multiple measures to deter vehicle idling (e.g. ‘Kick the Habit’ anti-idling awareness campaign).
  • Set emission standards for taxis and promoted a transition to ultra-low emission vehicles. CYC’s ‘Low Emission Taxi Grant’ helps accomplish this by providing financial support to purchase lower emission vehicles. Consequently, 30 per cent of taxis in York are either fully electric or petrol hybrids.
  • Implemented an extensive public electric vehicle recharging network and delivered ultra-rapid charge units (hyper hubs) at Park & Ride sites.
  • Reduced ‘grey fleet’ trips by utilising car club vehicles for CYC staff during office hours. City of York Council has also committed to transition to an all-electric fleet (for vehicles under 3.5 tonnes) as part of a four year programme
  • Delivered low emission planning guidance to reduce the emission impact of new development
  • Undertaken promotion of the rules around smoke control areas and issued advice and guidance to residents on the use of appropriate fuels and maintenance of appliances in line with the Government’s national Burn Better campaign. 
  • Continued to deliver on walking, cycling and public transport improvements. CYC have provisionally allocated around £3.3million to support active travel schemes to be implemented by 2023. 

Ms Phillips added: “When pollution levels are high, those with some chronic conditions should avoid exercise. Air pollution levels tend to be highest near midday or in the afternoon, so try to avoid outdoor exercise during these times of the day.

"Exercising during rush hour can expose you to higher amounts of pollution. If you can, avoid exercising near roadways where there is heavy traffic. Our public health team provides a Health Trainer Service that can support residents who would like to be more physically active and to find an activity that will suit their level of fitness. 

!We would also like to remind people that anyone with a chronic health condition should contact their GP before starting any exercise regime.”