The Day After Tomorrow: Concern about poor air quality is evident amongst UK respiratory professionals in the week following COP-27.

At the British Thoracic Society (BTS) November 2022 Winter Meeting, UK respiratory specialists are demonstrating a shared commitment to raising awareness of poor air quality as a primary driver of respiratory illness.

Multiple sessions throughout the Winter Meeting place a focus on air quality front and centre. Today features a session on air pollution in the context of children’s health, including how to minimise harmful exposure across a lifetime. Yesterday, delegates had the opportunity to attend a symposium on air quality and lung health in Africa in the context of the World Health Organisation recommendations. Aligning with one of the many objectives at the recent UN COP27 in Egypt, sessions underscore the disproportionate effect of poor air quality on those living in areas of socioeconomic deprivation.

As a stark reminder of the harms from air pollution, in December 2022 it will be 70 years since the Great London Smog of 1952, a lethal smog event that resulted in over 4,000 deaths. There is consensus among respiratory specialists that action must be taken to avoid similar respiratory tragedies from climate change and air pollution. As a step towards growing awareness, earlier this year BTS released an Air Quality Statement. This statement summarises the Society’s belief that every person has the right to breathe clean air and spells out a commitment to support respiratory professionals provide advice to patients in this area.

BTS Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr Paul Walker said:

“There is irrefutable evidence that air pollution is harmful to lung health and is a key challenge in achieving better lung health for all. Moreover, we are now clear that air pollution contributes to health inequality. BTS is committed to improving air quality and it is and will remain a key priority for the organisation.”

The Society’s commitment to improving air quality is further evident as, for the first time in the Society’s history, a Trustee for Sustainability has been appointed at this year’s Annual General Meeting. Dr Laura-Jane Smith, who will hold the position for the next three years, says,

“Urgent action is needed to reduce air pollution, not only as a cause of poor health in itself, but also as it is one component of Climate Change, the greatest threat to human health. There are actions we can take as individuals, professionals and organisations to create the just, healthy future we and our patients demand. In creating this new trustee position BTS has made a commitment to prioritising action on Climate Change as part of all of the work we do, from leading by example, to education and advocacy.”

A key role for the Sustainability Trustee will be to represent the BTS at groups such as the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change (UKHACC).  Together, BTS and other advocates will remain committed to raising awareness of evidence, supporting campaigns, bills and policies, setting ambitious targets and educating  health professionals on how best protect their patients for generations to come.