17 June 2026
The London Clinic’s Consultant Dr Ricardo José is a specialist in respiratory medicine. He discusses the impact of the environment on our respiratory health on National Clean Air Day which takes place on 18 June, to raise awareness about air pollution.
Air pollution can irritate the airways, causing coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and flare-ups of existing conditions such as asthma or COPD. Over time, repeated exposure can contribute to chronic respiratory disease, reduced lung function, worsening of existing chronic lung disease, and potentially an increased risk of lung cancer.
Poor air quality can affect everyone, but some patient groups are more vulnerable. This includes children, whose lungs are still developing, older adults, pregnant women, and people with existing lung or heart conditions.
Patients with asthma, COPD, or cardiovascular disease may notice worsening symptoms or more frequent flare-ups when pollution levels are high. People living in highly polluted or deprived areas may also be at greater risk because of increased exposure over time.
Air pollution can trigger flare-ups, also known as exacerbations, in people with asthma or COPD. It can worsen symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, and chest tightness. Long term, the airway inflammation caused by air pollution can accelerate lung function decline.
When air pollution levels rise, hospitals often see more people attending A&E with breathing problems, particularly children and people with existing lung conditions.
People living near busy roads or in areas with the highest levels of traffic-related pollution are also more likely to experience worse health outcomes.
When air quality is poor, people should pay attention to how they feel, especially if they start coughing, feel tightness or pain in the chest, become short of breath, or notice irritation in their eyes, nose or throat. It can also make asthma, COPD worse, leading to exacerbations.
It can also make existing heart problems worse and increase the risk of heart attacks, sometimes soon after exposure. Because of this, people should also look out for heart attack symptoms, such as chest pressure or discomfort, pain spreading to the arm, neck, jaw or back, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, light-headedness, or suddenly feeling very unwell.
On high-pollution days, it can help to spend more time indoors, avoid strenuous outdoor exercise, and choose quieter routes away from heavy traffic when walking or cycling. Using public transport or travelling at less congested times may also reduce exposure.
At home, people can keep windows closed when outdoor pollution is high, reduce indoor sources of pollution where possible, control dust, and consider air filtration (air purifier), especially if they have asthma, COPD, heart disease or other long-term conditions. Examples of reducing indoor air pollution sources include avoiding smoking indoors, using extractor fans when cooking, keeping rooms well ventilated when outdoor air quality allows, and reducing the use of aerosols, strong cleaning chemicals, candles, incense and wood-burning stoves.
Find out more about Dr Ricardo Jose.
