Salisbury may be considered the city in the countryside, but air pollution can still be an issue and is potentially one of the most serious of environmental issues facing us.

We reviewed the air quality of some roads in the town centre and Blue Boar Row and Fisherton Street both revealed significant levels of air pollution exceeding World Health Organisation (WHO) limits.

Residential areas outside of the town centre also revealed a medium risk.

Pollution is mainly caused by transport, but industrial work, construction, and agriculture can also play a role.

The WH0 states that clean air is a basic human right, but air pollution is still providing a significant threat and leads to 7 million premature deaths each year. The lower the levels of air pollution, the better the cardiovascular and respiratory health of the population - both long and short-term.

Residential areas outside of the town centre also revealed a medium risk.

Pollutants are a mixture of particles and gases and once they enter the body, the respiratory system as well as other bodily systems - the eyes, nose, throat, and heart can be affected too.

For asthma sufferers, poor air quality can lead to an onset of symptoms.  

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, cabinet member for public protection stated that Wiltshire council adopted a new climate strategy earlier this year and the focus is on reducing carbon emissions across the county.

He said: “In particular, supporting a shift to electric vehicles through our electric vehicle charging infrastructure plan and the development of local cycling and walking infrastructure plans.

“The roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations plan provides guidance to councils on how legal targets can best be achieved and is supported by a £3.5 billion investment into cleaner transport. Alongside this a £2 billion investment in cycling and walking over the course of this Parliament is the largest ever boost for active travel.”

MP John Glen said: “Air quality is greatly influenced by local factors such as planting and traffic hotspots where idling engines cause pollution to build up at peak times. However, there are things the government can and is doing to help tackle local air pollution.

“For example, we have brought forward the date at which sales of new petrol and diesel cars will end to 2030 and, by 2035, all new cars and vans must be zero emission.”

Pollutants occurring through power generation or from travel can travel long distances and the smallest particles are the most dangerous as they can penetrate the lungs.

Research indicates that where pollution levels are high, it can even be a cause of asthma in children and adults.

Weather also influences pollution levels so a warm still day or extreme temperatures can make respiratory conditions feel much worse.

We used the website Address Pollution to confirm air quality. You can monitor your own post code here if you wish to do so.  

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