Air quality
As outlined in University Hospital Plymouth Trust’s Board approved Green Plan, we plan to have achieved a 70% score on the Clean Air Hospital Framework by 2028.
The Clean Air Hospital Framework is a self-assessment tool pioneered by Great Ormond Street Hospital alongside Global Action Plan. It is designed to improve air quality across the hospital site and in the local community. The framework is focused on seven key areas to tackle air pollution:
- Travel
- Procurement & supply chain
- Construction
- Energy
- Local air quality
- Communication & training
- Hospital outreach & leadership
Air pollution is a complex mix of particles and gases of both natural and human origin. It can come from lots of sources, including; fires, cleaning products, car fumes, air fresheners and smoking. Particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are both major components of urban air pollution. To find out more about the individual components, visit the Public Health England webpage on air pollution .
Why do we care about air pollution?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises air pollution and climate change as a global threat to human health. It is linked to a range of health conditions, including cancer, stroke and asthma and affects all ages of a population.
It is the cause of up to 36,000 deaths and over 20,200 respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions each year in the UK. These high figures in turn generate expensive bills: air pollution has an estimated total social cost of £22.6 billion per year and causes over 6 million sick days.
The message is clear: we can’t afford not to act.
What is UHP doing about air pollution?
We continue to work through the actions in the Clean Air Hospital Framework in an effort to make our indoor and outdoor air quality as clean as possible. Below are some of the actions we’ve already taken:
- In Spring 2023 , we installed 4 fixed real time air quality monitors which supply data to an online portal for us to analyse. Read more about this on our blog here .
- We worked with Beryl to install electric Beryl bikes outside the main entrance and offered staff free Beryl minute bundles
- We work with the Derriford Centre for Health and Wellbeing to encourage staff to try out an active travel commute
- We have recruited a clinical Green Champion in the Chest Clinic who will work with us to decarbonise the department and educate patients and staff about how air pollution affects respiratory health.
- We have taken steps to expand, improve and take care of our green spaces onsite. This greenery is essential for clean air. Click here to find out more.
What can you do about it?
While a large part of the UK’s air pollution may come from industries and companies that are outside of our control, there are still many things we as individuals can do to make a difference to our air quality.
80% of roadside nitrogen dioxide air pollution, where legal limits are being broken, comes from road transport. The increase in road traffic over recent decades not only impacts the air quality of our towns and cities but also has wider effects such as noise pollution, lack of physical activity, access issues and road traffic collisions.
The Department for Transport says that it’s possible to achieve a 60% CO2 reduction in the UK’s domestic transport sector by 2030, but only with real and early change in travel behaviour. Switching to a walking or cycling commute, pledging to leave your car at home once a week or travelling by bus are some examples of this behaviour change.
See resources below to find out what else you can do to improve the air quality.
View your local air quality forecast here
