Air pollution warning issued for UK as warmer temperatures increase smog risk

People with lung or heart conditions have been advised not to exert themselves if outside

Air pollution can cause smog in urban areas (Getty)

The government has issued a warning for air pollution that is expected to hit parts of the UK.

The air pollution is blowing in from Europe and is expected to last until the weekend, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). There is also a possibility of smog.

People with lung or heart conditions have been advised not to exert themselves if outside. However, the air pollution is not likely to pose a direct risk to the general population.

The conditions are ripe for the air pollution as wind directions begin to shift and the weather gets warmer.

A Defra spokesperson said: “Strong south-easterly winds blowing in air from the continent could lead to moderate levels of pollution tomorrow and over the weekend in parts of England and Wales. Levels are expected to fall after the weekend.”

Wales is likely to see the highest levels of air pollution on Thursday, but only slightly higher than the rest of the country, and still within the ‘moderate’ range.

The air on will be cleaner in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, where the anticipated levels are lower. However, this will change on Saturday and higher levels of pollution begin to affect these areas. In particular, Northern Ireland could see a ‘high’ level of pollution on Sunday.

Public Health England does not issue specific advice for moderate warnings of air pollution, but advice on the DEFRA website said: “Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, who experience symptoms, should consider reducing strenuous physical activity, particularly outdoors.”

At high levels of air pollution, which some parts of the country can expect in the coming days, the advice is: “Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, should reduce strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors, and particularly if they experience symptoms.

“People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Older people should also reduce physical exertion.”

The general population is advised to consider reducing outdoor activity if the experience discomfort such as sore eyes, throat or cough.