Health of Westbury residents at risk as pollution levels increase
NEARLY 2,000 people in Westbury suffer from asthma or other chronic breathing problems, White Horse News can reveal, with air pollution from traffic a major cause.
The White Horse Health Centre in Westbury is currently treating 1,501 patients who are on the asthma register and a further 391 patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a figure that has increased over the last two years.
And new data from Public Health England, released last month, said that repeated exposure to the PM2.5 particles, which primarily come from car, truck, bus and off-road vehicle exhausts can trigger chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems such as COPD.
The data also revealed that one in 21 deaths among people aged 30 or over in Wiltshire is caused by air pollution.
Over 19,000 vehicles travel through Westbury on the A350 every day, a figure which has increased recently due to the closure to lorries of the Cleveland Bridge in Bath.
Mayor of Westbury cllr Mike Sutton said, “The figure of nearly 2,000 persons in Westbury suffering from asthma or COPD is startling but not surprising considering the amount of heavy traffic passing through the town and the large increase in cross-town journeys arising from the increased developments. All allowed to happen without any infrastructure improvements, despite objections from Westbury Town council.
“So concerned is the town council that an air quality monitor has been bought, by which we can monitor the pollution in various parts of the town, so that a complete picture can be established with a view to prompting other bodies to take action.
“Hopefully even Wiltshire Council will deem it necessary to take some action within the town. The town council is always keen to involve residents where possible and if anyone has comments as to where the monitor should be located, please let us know. The monitor is mobile and can be moved when necessary.
“The worrying factor is not just the 2,000 persons currently affected, but what it is doing to those growing up in the town and how it will affect their future. Climate change and pollution is not something happening in the future, it is happening now and we need to act now.
“And from the evidence available, it would seem the last thing Westbury needs is an ATT plant spewing out more pollution.”
The environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth says levels of damaging air pollution across the country are an “absolute disgrace”, and has called for new legally enforceable reduction targets.
Jenny Bates, a campaigner for the environmental charity said, “These levels of the most health-damaging air pollution are an absolute disgrace.
“Every year, UK air pollution causes nearly 36,000 early deaths and billions of pounds in costs to the economy.
“The Government must get a grip on this health crisis.”
She added that the new Environment Bill was a “crucial opportunity” to protect healthy air by setting out legally binding targets on particle air pollution to be met by 2030.
