2.6 References
1 Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants. Long term exposure to air pollution: effect on mortality. London:
Health Protection Agency, 2009. www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/ uploads/attachment_data/file/304667/
COMEAP_long_term_exposure_to_air_pollution.pdf [Accessed 2 December 2015].
2 World Health Organization. Review of evidence on health aspects of air pollution – REVIHAAP Project. Bonn: World
Health Organization, 2013. www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/193108/REVIHAAP-Final-technical-
report-final-version.pdf/ [Accessed 2 December 2015].
3 Newby DE, Mannucci PM, Tell GS et al. Expert position paper on air pollution and cardiovascular disease. Eur Heart J
2015;36:83–93.
4 Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants. The mortality effects of long-term exposure to particulate air pollution
in the United Kingdom. London: Health Protection Agency, 2010. www.gov.uk/government/publications/ comeap-
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5 Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. Valuing impacts on air quality: Updates in valuing changes in
emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO
2
). London: Defra, 2015.
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2 The air we breathe
© Royal College of Physicians 2016 31
Box
11: How to reduce exposure to air pollutants in the home
Although
some indoor pollutants are unavoidable, there are things that you can do to reduce exposures
and lessen possible adverse health effects:
• do not smoke at home
• avoid using appliances without flues (eg freestanding gas and paraffin heaters)
• properly maintain all boilers, stoves, fires and other appliances that burn fuel of any kind
• ensure adequate fresh air ventilation at all times
• use cooker extractor hoods and kitchen/bathroom extractor fans where supplied
• treat condensation, and kill and remove mould. Avoid condensation by keeping boiling pans covered
and not drying your wet washing inside the home. Properly insulate your home and do not block
existing permanent ventilation provision (air blocks, trickle vents etc)
• heat the home sufficiently to prevent damp, while maintaining adequate ventilation – try to achieve
the necessary balance between energy efficiency and pollution control
• consider reducing the use of products and materials that release high levels of VOCs.
In addition, depending on the pollutant in question, you may need to seek professional help – for
example, to prevent entry of radon from the ground or to remove, or seal, asbestos-containing
materials.
