What did we learn from ‘Toxic Town’?

In 2009, Corby Borough Council were found guilty of negligence in handling the demolition and waste disposal following the closure of a local steel works in 1980. Airborne pollutants from toxic waste transported across the town of Corby were identified as the cause of poisoning of unborn children, whose mothers were exposed to toxic waste materials during their pregnancies. It was a landmark case, closing the loop on doubts about the link between airborne exposure to toxic materials and disabling birth defects. 

In an episode of ‘Toxic Town’ – a new TV drama by Netflix, there is ‘lightbulb’ moment when the source of the toxins is identified as airborne – something which hadn’t previously been considered due to a lack of scientific evidence. During the court case, airborne exposure to toxins was scientifically linked with serious birth effects for the first time in legal history. The series documents the struggle families faced to prove that airborne exposures to heavy metals were linked to the development of upper limb deformities in their children. Toxic Town tells their story in what turned out to be the first legal case in the world to establish the link between airborne toxins and damage to unborn children. 

Air pollution and asthma death linked 

More recently, the link between air pollution and respiratory health has been proven. Ella Kissi-Debrah died in 2013 age nine years following a series of severe asthma attacks. Her death was linked to air pollution levels near her home and school, said to have peaked at the time when she died. It was another ground breaking case.

In 2025, whilst we are certainly more aware of the health effects of poor air quality, WHO data shows that almost 99% of the world’s population is still exposed to airborne pollutants that exceed guideline limits. With our being alarmist, there’s still a long way to go in understanding the effects of exposure to poor air quality on health. Not everyone will be affected due to their genetic differences and how and how the genome responds to environmental factors, and the combination ‘cocktail’ effects of exposures.

Indoor air quality – the evidence is still growing 

Indoor air pollutants is now thought to be up to 3x more dangerous to our health than outdoor air pollution, in part because we spend up to 90% of our time indoors. Inhalation of indoor air with high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) have been linked to respiratory problems including asthma. Further research is needed to establish causal links; there is still much to learn.

How can you reduce your exposure to air pollution? 

Some sources are more easily managed than others, such as installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, but others are more unknown such as VOCs that can lurk in everyday household products such as furnishings and cleaning products. The effects can be reduced by good ventilation, especially when cooking at high temperatures.  

• Use DEFRA’s air quality checker for your area before going outside. If it’s high, avoid exercising outdoors or wear a N95 mask in highly polluted areas (these masks filter fine particles) 

• Use an air purifier in your car and home.

• When fitting new household items such as carpets and upholstery, leave windows open whenever possible. 

Further Links:  

• Netflix Toxic Town
• BBC Four – Toxic Town: The Corby poisonings
• Friday brief: New contaminated land report ignores Corby’s toxic past
• Air pollution: How to reduce harm to your health – Harvard Health 

The information on our website should not be used as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.  If you have any specific questions about any medical matter, you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.