Pollution – Causes and Effects
Poor air quality in Birmingham affects us all, with up to 900 deaths per year, in Birmingham alone, linked to man-made air pollution. The World Health Organisation and the UK Government recognize air pollution as our largest environmental health risk.
Causes of Air Pollution
Birmingham’s air pollution is mainly caused by motorized transportation (cars, buses, taxis, vans, lorries) and also by industry, agriculture, heating, and fires. The two main pollutants are NOx and Particulate Matter (PM).
- NOx: A gas made of Nitrogen Oxide (NO) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), mostly from burning fuels, with transport accounting for 80% of emissions.
- Particulate Matter (PM): Tiny particles from sources like smoke, exhaust fumes, and dust from brake pads. PM10, PM2.5, and PM0.1 refer to the size of these particles, with smaller particles being more harmful as they can enter the bloodstream.
Thinking about the way you move around your neighbourhood and choosing to travel by bike or foot when you can enables you to spend more time outside, discover nature on your doorstep and provides opportunities to get more exercise. You can see your neighbourhood differently, get to know your community, make meaningful connections with people and understand the environment you live in. This is better for your health and wellbeing as well as the planet and something we can all benefit from.
25% of all car journeys made in Birmingham are less than a mile… If everyone who can chose to walk or cycle short journeys it would significantly improve the quality of the air which everyone in our city breathes.
Tips and resources to help you reduce your carbon footprint and clean up our air!
Get Outside Car Free: Use our 69wards walking and cycling friendly routes. Explore alone, with family/friends or join one of our events and see the city differently. We also offer cycling sessions which can help you Learn To Ride and gain confidence as well as led rides where you can learn cycle friendly routes. Use Walk Midlands or Rail Trails to help plan a car free day out further afield.
Spend Time in Nature: Plant trees or help at local community orchards like those by Fruit and Nut Village.
Drive Less: Use bikes, scooters, or public transport more often. Shop in stores within walking distance of your home, or try out local farmers markets. Car sharing and forward planning can also significantly reduce your impact and lower the number of cars on the roads, without changing your routines. Setting small goals, such as walking to the shop once a week, would be more achievable than going ‘cold-turkey’. You may find you love leaving your car behind!
Avoid Idling: Turn off your engine when stationary, and its safe to do so. Tips, here.
Look at your deliveries: To help reduce the amount of delivery vans and lorries on our streets, think about what you are purchasing. Do you really need it? When ordering choose to have things delivered together, pick the ‘click & collect’ option and look out for ‘green delivery slots’.
Engage with your Community: Talk to others about air pollution, find a local group like Mums for Lungs or Better Streets and help with campaigns or write to your councillor about improving local policies. Join a local cycling group to build confidence and find local routes while having fun with like minded people.
Use your Voice: The average levels of air pollution currently exceed World Health Organization recommended limits. This Clean Air Day use your voice and ask your MP to champion more ambitious air quality targets for the UK. Sign the petition here.
Find out more about Clean Air and what we can all do to help ourselves and others Breathe Better HERE.