Air pollutants

Queue of traffic.

The air we breathe contains lots of different particles that can trigger asthma symptoms. Air pollutants, such as cigarette smoke and car exhaust fumes, release gases and particles into the atmosphere, which can irritate your airways.

Asthma UK believes that pollution plays a role in causing asthma in children and adults, as well as being a trigger that can make people's asthma symptoms worse. Two-thirds of people with asthma tell us that traffic fumes make their asthma worse and 42% find that traffic fumes discourage them from walking or shopping in congested areas. And 85% of people with asthma tell us they are concerned about the effect that increasing vehicle fumes will have on their and their family’s health in the future.

If you find pollution triggers your asthma, keep well informed about air quality by visiting sites such as DEFRA and airTEXT if you live in London, to find out about that day’s air quality.


How do air pollutants affect asthma?

There is strong evidence associating the development of asthma with residence near roads with heavy traffic and particularly with vehicles such as diesel-fuelled buses and lorries, which are the source of most particulate matter pollution. Some studies have also suggested a link with adult-onset asthma. In adults, the development of asthma is associated with exposure to traffic fumes, especially PM10 and NO2, where people live rather than at the workplace or while travelling.

What is Asthma UK doing?

We want sustained action to reduce pollutants, encourage cleaner fuel and low/no emission vehicles, real time information on local air quality and a consultation on new transport policies. We also want drivers to help reduce emissions by only driving when necessary, joining car-sharing or park-and-ride schemes, taking the bus or walking where possible, changing to low or no emission vehicles or embracing ‘In Town Without Your Car’ days. We are working with Transport for London at the moment to support its No Engine Idling campaign. 

Tips to take away

  • If you find pollution triggers your asthma, keep well informed about air quality.   
  • Ozone can be a problem for some people. Levels are likely to be higher on hot summer days. If you think this might be a trigger for you, avoid exercising outdoors, especially in the afternoon.