The incidence of asthma in the UK (5.4 million people) has risen to epidemic proportions over the last 50 years. It is now amongst the highest in the world with one in ten children (around 1.4 million under 16 year olds) suffering from asthma. On average 4 people a day die of asthma in the UK. For more information see Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation.

Moreover, according to a recent report by the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee, British air pollution is knocking up to nine years off the lives of people who live in polllution hotspots or who have respiratory illness. For more details see New Scientist.

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