Line streets with trees to reduce number of asthma attacks, experts say
It's long been known that trees help keep our air clean, and new research now shows they could have a dramatic effect on the number of people admitted to hospital with asthma-related issues.
Experts are calling for more UK streets to be lined with trees, after the largest ever study looked into the impact of urban greenery on the respiratory condition – finding that planting greenery could help offset the dangerous effects of traffic fumes.
Here's what you need to know...
The study
Scientists from the University of Exeter looked at more than 650,000 serious asthma attack cases over the course of 15 years in England. They then compared roughly 26,000 urban neighbourhoods, after which a clear link was formed between areas with lots of trees and lower rates of asthma attacks.
The findings hold true even though tree pollen can often trigger asthma. This suggests that, in highly polluted areas, the pollution-absorbing effect of trees is greater than their allergic impact. All in all, it was concluded that trees do "significantly more good than harm," with every extra 300 trees per square kilometre resulting in about 50 fewer emergency asthma cases per 100,000 residents. Commenting on the study, lead researcher Dr Ian Alcock said:
"Greenspace and gardens were associated with reductions in asthma hospitalisation at lower pollutant levels, but not in the most polluted urban areas. With trees it was the other way round."
He added:
"It may be that grass pollens become more allergenic when combined with air pollutants so that the benefits of greenspace diminish as pollution increases. In contrast, trees can effectively remove pollutants from the air, and this may explain why they appear to be most beneficial where concentrations are high."
Also speaking on the matter was Dr Rachel McInnes – Met Office senior climate impact scientist and co-author of the study. She said:
"We also know that the interaction between pollen and air pollution, and the effect on health and asthma is highly complex and this study confirms that more research is required in this area."
Interestingly, the authors also noted a strong link between asthma and socio-economic deprivation, although why this may be was not made clear.
The study was published in the Environmental International Journal.
You Might Also Like
