Only one in three Welsh residents are concerned about local air quality – new poll

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  Just one in three (34%) Welsh citizens are concerned about local air quality according to new poll – below a national average of 35 percent
• However, over three quarters (79 percent) recognise importance of ventilating indoor spaces to prevent risk of infection
• Experts warn of heightened flu and Covid risk this winter as people move back indoors where diseases can spread more quickly without proper ventilation

21 July 2022. Barely a third of Welsh citizens are concerned about air quality in their local area according to a new poll – despite UK pollution levels hitting record highs earlier in the year. Despite the findings on air quality, three quarters of Welsh residents recognised the importance of ventilation indoors to reducing the risk of infection from respiratory illnesses like flu.

A poll of more than 3,000 Britons by Deltapoll, on behalf of infection prevention specialist GAMA Healthcare, found just over a third of respondents from across the whole of the UK were concerned about air quality in their local area. However, four in five (80 percent) of those living in the UK considered ventilation in indoor spaces important to preventing infection.

Air quality levels in the UK registered at the highest levels of the government’s risk measurement, the Daily Air Quality Index, with official guidance issued for people with asthma and other conditions to limit their exertion.

Experts have also warned of the increased risk of respiratory infections like flu this autumn and winter, following supressed levels during the pandemic.

Dr Phillip Norville, Clinical and Scientific Director at GAMA Healthcare, said:

“The lack of concern about air quality is surprising and quite worrying. But it is good to see people in Wales are recognising the importance of ventilating indoor spaces to prevent infection.

“Respiratory infections are most common as we come into autumn and winter. These now include COVID, but also the likes of flu – and we may see more of those cases as we weren’t exposed in the same way during the pandemic because  of increased public health measures (such as social distancing).  It’s important people are thinking now about how to ensure their homes and workplaces are properly ventilated, whether that’s opening the windows or mechanical air filtration units.”