Public Health England officials say that the pollution levels may increase the symptoms of heart and lung disease in some people. Adults, children and the elderly with asthma or other breathing problems are advised to refrain from strenuous exercise out of doors. Asthma sufferers may have to use their inhalers more often, too.
Air Quality News is reporting that levels of particulate matter are expected to hit Level 10 (top of the scale) on Friday, but overnight winds from the Atlantic Ocean are expected to disperse the pollution overnight on Friday, according to Defra, and pollution levels should return to low.
Last year in April, Londoners came out to see their cars coated with red dust from the Sahara, and the phenomena also sparked a number of 999 calls from people with asthma and breathing problems.
Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: “This latest high air pollution episode, coming so soon after the last, is troubling, and could again put people living with respiratory conditions at risk of worsening symptoms.”
Any details on pollution levels in specific locations in the U.K. are currently unavailable on the government’s UK Air website because of a cyber-attack by an Islamist group. Defra says they are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and apologise for any inconvenience.
The Defra extended forecast for the weekend in the UK is for pollution levels to drop into the moderate to low range on Saturday, and the mainly low range on Sunday.
