Spring is just around the corner so it’s a good time to blow away the winter cobwebs and give your home a good spring clean. But before you stock up on cleaning products, it’s worth taking stock of what’s in them, and whether some of their ingredients might pose a risk to our health. … Continued
With an estimated 1 in 10 homes affected by mould infestations, this creeping health risk is a serious concern for many. Mould grows in areas with excess levels of moisture with poor ventilation, poor insulation, and high condensation. It reproduces itself via tiny spores which can grow on paper, carpets, and soft furnishings around the … Continued
Air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths every year in the UK – it is the most worrying environmental health risk we face today. But the effects of air pollution on our mental wellbeing are less well documented. In this post we present a roundup of the latest evidence that air pollution might be the cause of a range of … Continued
Thursday 15 June is Clean Air Day, a day of action to raise awareness about air pollution around the UK. This year’s theme is ‘Clean up our air to look after your mind‘, sending a strong message to us all about the health risks posed by air pollution, both physical and mental. Every year, air … Continued
If the great outdoors is calling you, you might be thinking about buying a new tent. But before you do, bear in mind that flame retardancy regulations in many countries, including the UK, also apply to tents and outdoor shelters. Flame retardants are widely used in the manufacture of soft furnishings and furniture (it is … Continued
Removing your shoes at the door is customary in many homes, and in some cultures it’s seen as a mark of respect to leave your shoes outside. But there might also be some good health reasons to ask anyone coming into your home to remove their shoes first. Bacteria is carried on the soles … Continued
The government announced its new Environment Improvement Plan this week including updated guidance on emissions of particulate matter from log burning stoves. Earlier guidance of no more than 5g of smoke emissions per hour has been reduced to 3g per hour in areas designated as smoke control areas, which encompasses most UK towns and cities. … Continued
Since 1990 deaths from cancer have been rising in people under the age of 50 in many countries across the world. Rises have been recorded in a wide range of cancers including breast, liver, kidney, thyroid, and numerous others. 5.7 million people died globally in 1990 from cancer, increasing to 8.9 million by 2019. … Continued
Exposure to air contaminated by pollution has been linked to changes in lung tissue which can increase the risk of lung cancer. Air pollution can be measured by the levels of microscopic particulate matter which has a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5). PM2.5 is generated by vehicle exhaust fumes and combustion of … Continued
In the UK more than 8 million people suffer with symptoms of asthma, higher than all other lung related health conditions combined. It affects all ages, and even though many children grow out of it, more than 5.4m people receive ongoing treatment for this condition at a cost of around £1 billion a year for … Continued
