Environment and lung health

Championing clean air

Improving air quality is a key priority for the Society.

Poor air quality is widely known to have adverse effects on lung health, affecting people with existing lung disease and impacting lung function in children, predisposing them to chronic lung problems in the future.

Exposure to poor air quality is harmful in all forms. Whether caused by indoor or outdoor air pollution, damp, or second-hand tobacco smoke, poor air quality is also linked to social deprivation and health inequalities.

Our Position Statement on Air Quality encapsulates the Society’s belief that every person has the right to breathe clean air at home, outside, and at work. It sets out our commitment to help respiratory healthcare professionals provide advice to patients and carers on how to mitigate the impact of air pollution on their health.

The climate crisis

Climate change is a health crisis that particularly affects respiratory health. Rising temperatures and the disruption of ecosystems damage lung health, and cause poverty, conflict and mass population displacement. Individuals are more likely to become ill and will find it more difficult to access healthcare. 

Our Position Statement on Sustainability and the Environment outlines how respiratory professionals can make positive changes in their work.

Working in partnership

Through our membership of the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change (UKHACC), the Healthy Air Coalition, and the Taskforce for Lung Health, the Society can support campaigns, key initiatives, bills, and policies, and raise the profile of health on the climate change agenda.