These days lots of people are worried about air pollution and whether it will affect their health. Most of the time though the pollution levels are LOW and if you are in general good health then you are unlikely to have any serious short-term effects.

If we think back to the days of the Industrial Revolution, when heavy industry used huge amounts of coal for power, and smoking chimneys were seen everywhere, the air that people had to breathe was far more harmful than it is today. However, air pollution can sometimes make people sick, or cause long-term illness. Some people are more sensitive to pollution, for example, children or elderly people.

In towns and cities the danger is from diesel engines in cars, buses and trucks. The waste products of diesel engines include particulates which are very fine and can easily get into our throat and lungs. This can cause breathing problems. If you already suffer from asthma then the affects are much worse.