Why Indoor Air Quality is the New Health and Safety Priority

A report from the Royal College of Physicians has warned that air pollution is responsible for 30,000 deaths in the UK this year alone. This is costing the economy more than £27 billion annually.

The results of the study, led by Professor Stephen Holgate, an immuno-pharmacologist at Southampton University, were released on Clean Air Day, 19th June 2025. The research has set alarm bells ringing amid claims the health impacts of toxic air are both far reaching and deeply underestimated.

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Described as a “growing public health emergency” that demands urgent and comprehensive government action, air pollution has become a major driver of disease among the UK population. As such, Holgate is calling for it to be recognised and treated as a public health issue.

How does polluted air affect our health?

The report, entitled A Breath of Fresh Air: Responding to the Health Challenges of Modern Air Pollution, uses the latest scientific evidence to show how the human body is affected, from birth to old age. When a pregnant woman breathes in polluted air, there’s an increased chance of her baby having a low birth weight and childhood asthma. Other potential problems further down the line include cardiovascular disease, strokes, cancer, mental health conditions, respiratory issues and dementia.

The findings are especially troubling because the health issues can occur even at low levels of pollution, including those currently considered safe by many regulatory standards.

The impact of industrial pollution on air quality

Environmental contamination can result from manufacturing, processing, extraction and other related industrial activities. These operations can produce waste and emissions that negatively impact the air, water and soil. As industrialisation expands to meet global demands, its environmental footprint continues to grow, posing serious challenges to both public health and the planet’s ecosystems.

Atmospheric pollution is caused by the escape of industrial fumes, dust, gases and other contaminants from factories and manufacturing plants. Although strictly regulated in the UK, insufficient environmental regulations or weak enforcement mechanisms in some parts of the world allow harmful emissions to go unchecked. The continued use of outdated, inefficient technologies also plays its part, as these systems can emit higher levels of pollutants compared with newer, cleaner alternatives. Additionally, economic pressure and cost cutting measures can lead to the adoption of practices that may cause pollution.

The types of pollutants released by industrial sources include greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane that contribute to climate change. Particulates and aerosols can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides lead to acid rain, damaging ecosystems and infrastructure. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other hazardous air pollutants also pose serious health risks, particularly in densely populated and poorly ventilated areas.

Managing industrial air pollution

Addressing the causes of industrial emissions is essential, not only for environmental protection, but to safeguard the health of employees and the wider population. Workplace air quality is dependent on the use of air filtration products in industrial settings. AirBench offers tailored solutions for a variety of industrial contaminants, including dust extraction and fume extraction systems.

When working in indoor spaces, it’s crucial to maintain a clean and safe environment for everyone within the area. Finding a long-term solution to prevent a build-up of contaminated air is imperative, not only to keep workers safe, but also to comply with legislation, such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations.

Using an AirBench dust extraction system is a highly effective way of removing dangerous contaminants that may build up in the workplace, and ultimately be released into the outdoor environment. As the UK’s leading range of downdraught benches; an AirBench fume extraction system filters out harmful substances created from daily processes and returns clean air back to the workplace environment. Downdraught benches also play a key role in limiting the release of polluted air into the external environment, ensuring harmful particulates and emissions are removed or neutralised. The high-efficiency filters can trap a wide range of contaminants, from fine dust and metal particles to VOCs.

As environmental regulations tighten and industries face increasing pressure to demonstrate environmental responsibility, downdraught benches offer an effective, compliant solution. Along with comprehensive ventilation and emissions control systems, they are an essential part of an integrated strategy to manage industrial pollution, enabling cleaner, safer operations.

Economic toll of air pollution in the UK

Air pollution is not only a public health crisis: it also creates a significant economic burden on the UK. The £27 billion annual cost to the economy reflects a wide range of direct and indirect impacts. The most immediate cost is the strain placed on the NHS due to the treatment of illnesses caused or worsened by polluted air including respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis, as well as cardiovascular diseases and cognitive disorders, including dementia. This impacts workforce productivity, leading to absenteeism and early retirement due to illness. The broader societal costs include a poor quality of life and premature death, which carry both emotional and financial consequences.

Further losses occur when air pollution damages ecosystems, infrastructure and agriculture, leading to economic degradation over the long term. The cumulative effect is a persistent drain on national productivity and wellbeing. Addressing air pollution has become an economic necessity for building a more sustainable and resilient future for the UK, according to the report. The author calls for an urgent, multi-pronged response from the government, with the most important action being to reduce pollution at source. Tighter regulations on emissions, especially from industry and transportation, and accelerating a shift toward clean energy are also highlighted. The report also recommends that the UK adopts the World Health Organisation’s 2021 Global Air Quality Guidelines, with regular progress reviews to ensure compliance.

Contributors to the report say delaying action only compounds these human and financial losses, pushing more people into chronic illness and stretching public health resources to breaking point.