The health effects of air pollution
The Air Pollution Bandings and Index Points describe how air pollution may affect the health of sensitive people. For more information read the free leaflet Air Pollution - What it means for your health, which is available on the Defra website.
| Banding | Index | Health Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 1 | Effects are unlikely to be noticed even by individuals who know they are sensitive to air pollutants |
| 2 | ||
| 3 | ||
| Moderate | 4 | Mild effects, unlikely to require action, may be noticed amongst sensitive individuals. |
| 5 | ||
| 6 | ||
| High | 7 | Significant effects may be noticed by sensitive individuals and action to avoid or reduce these effects may be needed (e.g. reducing exposure by spending less time in polluted areas outdoors). Asthmatics will find that their 'reliever' inhaler is likely to reverse the effects on the lung. |
| 8 | ||
| 9 | ||
| Very High | 10 | The effects on sensitive individuals described for 'High' levels of pollution may worsen. |