Breathe Easy: Celebrating Clean Air Day on 15 June

In an era where climate change and environmental concerns have become increasingly pressing, it is crucial to address the quality of the air we breath. Clean Air Day, observed on 15 June, provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the significance of clean air and the actions we can take to ensure a healthier future for ourselves and the planet.

Cleaning up our air is good for us in many ways: it not only benefits our physical health and the environment but can also protects our mental and brain health. The physical health impacts of air pollution – such as asthma, heart disease and cancers – have been recognised for decades. More recently, researchers are beginning to understand how air pollution can affect the brain and the mind.

This blog aims to shed light on the importance of clean air, its impact on our well-being, and practical steps we can take to promote cleaner air in our communities.

Understanding the importance of clean air

Clean air is a fundamental requirement for a healthy and sustainable life. The air we breath directly affects our respiratory system, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being. However, in many parts of the world, air pollution has reached alarming levels due to industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, burning of fossil fuels, and other human activities. Pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and volatile organic compounds can have detrimental effects on human health, leading to respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and even premature death. In stark terms this means air pullution causes:

• upwards of 36,000 deaths each year in the UK
• over 6 million sick days a year in the UK
• an estimated total social care cost of £22.6bn per year in the UK
• over 20,000 respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions a year in the UK.

Wessex AHSN and the respiratory programme teams/clinicians have contributed to the production and content of the ‘Better asthma outcomes for patients and planet’ brochure with KSS and Oxford AHSNs – launching on Clean Air Day.

Benefits of clean air

1. Improved Health: Breathing clean air reduces the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, allergies, and asthma. It promotes better sleep, cognitive function, and overall physical and mental well-being.
2. Environmental Preservation: Clean air is essential for the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems. It mitigates climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supports sustainable development.
3. Economic Advantages: Clean air benefits the economy by reducing healthcare costs associated with air pollution-related illnesses.
4. Social Equity: Access to clean air is a basic human right. By advocating for clean air, we ensure a healthier and more equitable future for all, irrespective of socio-economic backgrounds.

This Clean Air Day learn more at www.cleanairday.org.uk

1. Learn: find out more about how air pollution impacts our mental, physical and planet’s health.
2. Act: walk, wheel or use public transport to reduce your exposure and contribution to air pollution. If you drive, try leaving the car behind on Clean Air Day and one day every week.
3. Ask: get in touch with your local councillor to ask them to support clean air measures that make it easier for you to breathe clean air.

Join us on social media @WessexAHSN to see actions we can all take.

1. Clean up our air to look after your mind this #CleanAirDay - people who breath polluted air are more likely to develop mental health and brain conditions.
2. Leave the car at home. Walk, wheel or take public transport to work or school.
3. Don’t idle. If you drive, turn off your engine when your vehicle is stationary, and it is safe to do so.
4. Air pollution impacts our health from our first breath to our last.

Clean Air Day on 15 June serves as a reminder of the importance of clean air for our well-being and the sustainability of our planet. By taking individual and collective action, we can make a significant difference in improving air quality and safeguarding our health. Let us celebrate Clean Air Day by pledging to reduce our carbon footprint, raise awareness, and advocate for clean air policies. Together, we can create a future where clean air is a reality for everyone. Breath easy and make every day a clean air day!