How traffic pollution affects your health

It’s a familiar sight if you live in a big city – cars, vans and lorries clogging up the streets and a grey haze of poisonous exhaust fumes. It’s not surprising as the number of vehicles on UK roads has dramatically increased in recent years, and air pollution levels are at a record high. So what effect does this have on health - particularly if you suffer from hayfever or asthma - and is there anything you can do to protect yourself?

Why is traffic bad for your health?

According to health experts, London is one of the most polluted cities in the world and has suffered from illegal levels of air pollution since 2010, mainly due to emissions from traffic. This means dangerously high levels of nitrogen dioxide and what’s known as Particulate Matter – tiny particles in the air that can lodge in our lungs. 

Unfortunately, these gases and particles cause inflammation and make our immune systems more sensitive. Consultant Ear Nose and Throat specialist Ms Romana Kuchai has noticed a huge increase in patients with conditions such as asthma, hayfever, allergies and sinusitis: “The environment is an important factor when it comes to developing immune-related respiratory conditions.”    

Does air pollution increase hayfever and asthma?

Unfortunately, it does. Hayfever has dramatically increased in recent years and now affects one fifth of the UK population. Air pollution from traffic is a big factor – the polluting gases from cars and other vehicles increase our sensitivity to pollen. Exhaust fumes also cause pollen grains to split open more easily and trigger allergic reactions in hayfever sufferers. 

Pollutants from cars also react with sunlight to create ground level ozone, which can trigger asthma attacks, and the nitrogen dioxide in diesel fumes can exacerbate asthma, especially in children. 

What can you do to avoid air pollution from traffic?

It can feel like we’re powerless over the number of cars on the road, but Ms Kuchai suggests there are practical steps we can take to protect ourselves and our children. 

“If you’re taking your child to school for example, walk instead of sitting in a car on a congested road. Use the back routes - residential streets are usually much quieter and that can make a huge difference.”

Ms Kuchai also strongly recommends daily nasal rinsing with salt water: “It’s a simple thing to do, but it has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, similar to swimming in the sea. I’ve seen it help reduce sinus infections, hayfever and asthma.”

Should you wear a mask when cycling? 

We’ve all got used to wearing a mask during the pandemic, but they can also be protective when cycling. However, make sure your mask fits snugly and has a sub-micron filter to filter out small particles. 

It’s also useful to know that some experts don’t think that cyclists are more at risk than others from air pollution. Air quality researchers from King’s College London suggested that urban cyclists usually take fairly short journeys, and are often on the move and not trapped in smog. However, Ms Kuchai again recommends avoiding busy main roads when possible, and doing a nasal rinse at least once or twice a day. 

What else can I do to minimise the effects of traffic?

Hayfever is hugely exacerbated by traffic, so using a nasal spray before your symptoms begin is a good idea, to minimise the chances of further unpleasant attacks. 80% of hayfever sufferers have asthma, so managing your hayfever will help keep asthma under control. 

If you do have asthma try to keep an eye on the pollution levels – see the DEFRA air pollution website - and try to avoid vigorous outdoor exercise when levels are high. And once you are inside, experts also recommend using an air filter – one that is designed to keep out pollutants associated with car emissions. 

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If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms and would like to see an allergy specialist, or find out more about our treatments, please call 020 7244 4200 or make an appointment online.