In what could potentially be the worst case of air pollution in England since the Great Smog of 1952, experts are warning that areas of the country will see very high levels of air pollution in the next few days.
The UK's Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has released forecasts predicting the onset of rising levels of air pollution. The problem is expected to cause breathing problems in certain parts of the country. Throughout the UK, the air pollution forecast ranges from low in some areas to very high in others.
"High to Very High air pollution is expected across much of England to the south of a line from Merseyside across to The Wash, except for across the far southwest of England where air pollution is expected to be Moderate," says DEFRA in their latest air pollution forecast. "Moderate air pollution is also expected across much of northern England."
The worst affected areas include South Wales, West Country, South Coast and Midlands. Some of these areas received a forecast of "Very High" maxing out DEFRA's 10 point scale.
DEFRA is now warning residents in the affected areas to minimize outdoor activities. Moreover, the department is also urging both children and adults who are suffering from any type of lung problem to avoid any type of physical activity and stay indoors. People suffering from asthma would also do well to prepare for increasing levels of air pollution since authorities have said that even healthy individuals might have difficulty breathing.
In 1952, over 4,000 people died in London within a period of four days in an incident now known as the Great Smog of 1952. Moreover, another 8,000 individuals died a few weeks or a few months later due to the aftereffects of the event. This incident also caused the government to pass the Clean Air Act in 1956.
The current air pollution problem in England was brought about by a number of factors. First of all, sand from the Sahara has been falling over the country in the last couple of days. This type of phenomenon is referred to as "blood rain." Due to the presence of Saharan dust, thousands of cars, windows, awnings and other surfaces have been covered by small spots of red dust. This happens when strong winds pass over North Africa carrying sand from the Sahara. If the winds happen to be blowing in the right direction, then the UK gets hit by "blood rain." Aside from the Saharan sand, other factors include light winds as well as local emissions.
"High levels of air pollution are forecast across East Anglia and the Midlands on Thursday, with Moderate air pollution across northwest and southeast England," DEFRA adds. "Remaining areas of the UK will have predominantly Low air pollution, but with localized areas of Moderate pollution on Thursday."
