Quality of Air?

[LizPat30]

Hi everyone, we've just returned from 5 lovely days spent in Cornwall, this is the first longer holiday I've had since being diagnosed with asthma and bronchiectasis. What has intrigued me is how well I felt in Cornwall. My lungs felt clear and I had much more energy didn't suffer from my usual tiredness. It was a very busy holiday we were very active, but that was fine. We live in a beautiful part of the world in the South Downs near Eastbourne but the air quality here can be poor and I can't help wondering if my lungs just enjoyed and responded to a different air quality? Is that possible?

[CDPO16]

Yes I think that is possible. The Defra website will give air quality around the country.

[sassy59]

I think that’s very possible. We live near Worthing and the pollution is horrendous. We’re just queuing now on the A27 near Chichester trying to get home from Portsmouth. Cornwall sounds idyllic and glad you enjoyed it. Xxx😘

[LizPat30 in reply to sassy59]

I know that stretch of the A27 very well, I hope your journey isn't too stressful. Thanks for responding.

[sassy59 in reply to LizPat30]

Just a car broken down and we’re moving again now. Xxx

[Alberta56]

I felt the same after a break in rural Suffolk, even though my bit of semi-rural Essex is not that polluted. I think you are right.

[LizPat30 in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you, I think I'll need to plan another Cornwall holiday!

[watergazer]

I find I feel better when close to the sea x

[Badbessie]

From memory there was a news article on the BBC stating the air quality was very poor and people with lung conditions should take care. That was last week. I live in a very rural area in the charnwood Forrest. Sadly you would be wrong in thinking the air quality would be good. Within a few miles of my home are two very large rock quarries which produce great amounts of dust. Asthma is very prevalent and above the national average.

[2013mayo]

When I first went to Scotland I noticed the air quality was so pure, quite different from where we’d come from in Manchester, (we had been visiting friends ) we live in Oxfordshire in a little village and the air quality is ok, but I notice driving into town it changes. Some places are worse than others.

[Homely2]

I am much better in the Scottish highlands than at home.

There is a good post somewhere from somebody who lived in bangalore and moved to San Francisco and his asthma basically disappeared.

[Zand60]

We live in Suffolk on the border with Norfolk and I feel ok here with the air quality. I do notice a difference when the humidity is high though. I love our trips to the coast, Cromer is lovely xx

[Collienut]

I live in Cornwall, my breathing is always better if we go to the coast. The salt in the sea air always calms my lungs, as long as no one is barbecuing and the sound of the waves is very calming.

We live in a very rural area so I have problems with silage cutting, pollen, bonfires, fire pits, barbeques in summer and all the log burners in winter.

[suzy-lou in reply to Collienut]

I so agree, Collienut. I too live in Cornwall and the sea air is so good for my lungs.

However just a few miles in from the coast where I live, come Autumn and Winter the wood burning stoves get flashed up and the air quality is definately poorer. The smoke can be seen hovering above the village and is a very unwelcome site for gaspers such as me! I wonder, is there anything published about the risks to air quality of these stoves?

[Collienut in reply to suzy-lou]

There was a survey by the government awhile ago for those that had breathing problems, I think all new wood burners have to be DEFRA approved, I think they have a filter for the really fine particles, but doesn't help with all the ones that already exist. You can only get smokeless fuel now, but most seem to be burning pallets and old furniture which is even worse 😔. Some country's have banned wood burners and open fires unless there is no alternative heat source, we are so far behind. 🤔

[suzy-lou in reply to Collienut]

Thank you for the info, Collienut. I'll look up the report. Seems that peole are burning all sorts of rubbish on their stoves down here with not a thought of what is going into the atmosphere! It's not just the wood burning stoves, it's also the older style Rayburn-style stoves that add to the problem.

Keep well

[Nula2]

Hi LizPat, the air quality where I live is bad which really makes it hard for me to breathe. Can't speak from a personal perspective but my niece has severe asthma and when she goes to Spain her breathing improves no end. So think it probably is the air quality. Maybe it's better in Cornwall. Take care xxx

[Thinkhealthy]

Could well be. My husband got a little gizmo that measure air quality in the house . We were astonished how quickly air quality can change. It can get worse quite quickly without good airflow , or if there are pollutants in the area. Traffic pollution is clearly a baddy.

[Holiday12345 in reply to Thinkhealthy]

Do you mind if I ask what make is the air monitor your husband bought? I’ve been thinking about trying to get something that would measure air quality in the house many thanks

[Ergendl]

Yes. I notice a similar improvement in Rhodes (when the forest fires have stopped).

[LizPat30]

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply to my post, I suppose it is not a surprise but disappointing to me as one would think living a mile from the sea in the South Downs would be quite a healthy place to live but obviously not compared to Cornwall. I'm going to be more vigilant monitoring air quality here. Jo xxxx

[Klaught]

If you're concerned, you can check out local resources or organizations that monitor air quality. They can give you more info about the air quality in your area. You can also reach out to rcrmold.com/mold-testing/mu... . I've heard good thigns about them. Also, it's a good idea to take steps to improve the air quality in your home, like keeping it well-ventilated and using air purifiers.