Should Cyclists Worry About Air Pollution?

We are all at least slightly concerned about air pollution. How many cigarettes’ worth of carcinogenic diesel fumes and particles are we really breathing? For most of us the greater threat remains being hit by a car while crossing the road rather than decades breathing near it. But what about cyclists panting behind constant traffic? Do all those in masks have right to worry?

Fortunately, a recent study published in the British Medical Journal found cycling to work cuts the risk of death from any cause by 41%. Of 250,000 studied 3,748 were diagnosed with cancer and 1,110 had heart problems. While the study was UK-wide many of these will have been in major cities with significant air pollution.

Overall this suggests that cycling with or without a mask is better than taking public transport since a sedentary lifestyle is a greater risk than air pollution. Research by King’s College London and Camden Council in 2014 found cyclists and pedestrians are actually exposed to less pollution than if they travelled by car or bus.

Another study led by Dr Marko Tainio from the Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge found similar results. “Even in Delhi, one of the most polluted cities in the world – with pollution levels ten times those in London – people would need to cycle over five hours per week before the pollution risks outweigh the health benefits.” he stated.

The Concern

The health-conscious among us are no doubt tired of the regularly-quoted 2015 King’s College report into London’s air pollution that concluded 9,500 Londoners die of long-term exposure to air pollution each year. Then we are also fed up of hearing that you could stand a spoon in the December 1952 “Great Smog” that killed thousands as we never quite know whether we are being poisoned or entering a new age of clean air.

Fortunately, the King`s Website Londonair.org summarises the impact of long-term pollution exposure on individual mortality as “an average of six months off your life” which when applied to a population is significant but doesn’t suggest you personally have to relocate to the countryside just yet.

Public Health England states that air pollution is never a singular cause of death but is a contributory factor that can affect existing conditions of the lungs and heart such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma. It is also more damaging to young children and the elderly, neither of whom are likely to be cycling through central London.

Consulting the Map not the Mask

Look at any recent map of London`s air pollution such as that by King’s College and the news is not quite so grim.

You gaze at a green filter across the screen as you wait for the latest data to load. But it doesn’t. London’s air is not that bad except for an arterial network of dark lines that are busy main roads. The site confirms that “Pollution hot spots are often quite small, and they vary depending on the weather and the time of year.”

Fortunately, regardless of damage done by air pollution London is actually quite clean when you see the map that ranks most of London as low. In fact, a recent episode from 8-9th April, 2017, ranked its highest instance at the upper end of “moderate” at Brent IKEA with even the Strand in Westminster halving that level.

Outside of main roads a map showing annual mean Nitrogen Dioxide levels (left) puts London in a yellow haze that leans well towards the ‘passes annual mean objective’ bracket.

Therefore cyclists can drastically reduce their exposure, and maybe their commute duration, by following quieter roads with less chance of the additional risk of being hit by cars and buses.

Recreational cyclists can take comfort that large open areas such as Hyde Park are largely clear.

What about masks?

For most of us the starkest reminder of our air quality are cyclists wearing masks. However there is little consensus as to how effective these are. The most popular masks are by Nespro. ‘a solution to inhaling the grime and dust associated with urban air quality while carrying out your daily journey.` states their website which features a warning that it is not a respirator suitable for an industrial workplace. Most of the description focuses on comfort rather than health which cyclists report is very absent from this alien facehugger.

London Cyclist attempted a trial which was judged by the colour of mask filters, with lighter filters judged to have captured less pollution. This approach is sensible but needs improvement considering each time we wipe a car or window we remind ourselves just how dirty our air is. What are the pollutants we cannot see and what is just the background dust we cough with little harm? Many experts agree that solving the causes of air pollution will be far better than individuals negotiating the symptoms.

Stewart Vickers @VickHellfire

 

The post Should Cyclists Worry About Air Pollution? appeared first on Felix Magazine.