Pollution
Poor air quality or rare incidents involving hazardous substances can have a negative impact on your health. It is important to know what to do and how to protect yourself.
Pollutants in the form of vapours, powders or liquids can enter the air or water, rivers, coastal areas, and groundwater.
Who is most at risk?
Pollution can affect anyone, but some people face a higher risk of encountering or being impacted by pollution.
Those most at risk include those who live in an area of higher pollution, have existing heart or lung conditions, pregnant people, babies and children, and older adults.
Remember: Make sure that family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk are aware of, and following, actions to keep themselves safe.
What you can do before, during and after
Before
Understand the risks. Be prepared.
- Call the UK Air Pollution Forecast on 0800 556677 for free updates on air quality in your area.
- Only swim in designated bathing water locations. These are areas where the water is safe to swim including specific beaches and rivers.
- If you live close to a hazardous site, such as oil refineries and water treatment works, you may be able to register with them for alerts. If they have not reached out to you it is probably because you do not live close enough to the site to be considered at risk.
- Have a grab bag prepared in case you need to leave the house in an emergency.
During
Avoid exposure. Follow official advice.
- Follow the advice of the emergency services.
- Listen and watch local news to receive updates about pollution incidents in your area and what you may need to do.
- Remove yourself from the area to avoid exposure and stay away.
- If you are in a vehicle close your vehicles windows and consider finding a different route away from the hazard.
- Close the windows and doors of your home to help keep polluted air out.
After
Stay informed. Check it’s safe.
- Keep checking local news and air pollution forecasts
In an emergency
Call 999 immediately
Get out, stay out