Overview

• The Royal College of Physicians report projects that air pollution will contribute to around 30,000 deaths in the UK in 2025 and warns that 99% of the population breathe toxic air.
• The report states that no safe level of air pollutants exists and average exposure can shorten life expectancy by 1.8 years.
• Researchers link pollution to diseases across nearly every organ—including respiratory conditions, cancer, heart disease, stroke and dementia—and highlight indoor sources like gas cooking and poor ventilation as overlooked hazards.
• Air pollution costs the UK an estimated £27 billion annually in healthcare expenses and lost productivity.
• Healthcare professionals will march to Parliament on Clean Air Day to deliver letters to Downing Street and a cross-party group of MPs plans to reintroduce “Ella’s Law” on July 1 to make clean air a legal right under UK law and set targets for 2030.