Latest news with #Asthma+LungUKCymru
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Car idling outside schools putting kids 'health at risk'
Plaid Cymru's Delyth Jewell MS raised concerns in the Welsh Parliament, highlighting the impact of parked vehicles with running engines on air quality, particularly outside schools. Ms Jewell said: "Stationary idling is something that people do sometimes without thinking, but it is so deeply damaging to children's lungs." She called for a ban on stationary idling to be introduced before the next Senedd election. Ken Skates MS, cabinet secretary for transport, supported the call and described the behaviour as 'truly antisocial. Mr Skates said: "I just cannot comprehend why parents would leave their cars idling around not just their children but other children." Joseph Carter, head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru, warned that children are especially vulnerable to emissions, despite idling already being an offence. He said: "Car idling produces up to 150 balloons of exhaust emissions per minute."
South Wales Argus
29-04-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Call to ban wood-burning stoves in Wales over health fears
Asthma + Lung UK Cymru released a report urging the Welsh Government to raise awareness about the health risks of pollutants from domestic burning. The charity's poll of 1,000 people in Wales found that more than half (53.6 per cent) were concerned about air quality in their area, but less than half (47.2 per cent) were worried about wood-burning stoves. Joseph Carter, head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru, said: "It is worrying that although people are concerned about their lung health and air pollution, less than half of people questioned in our survey were not aware of the dangers of wood-burning stoves. "The idea of a cosy wood burner in our homes might sound appealing, but the reality is it could be putting you, your family and neighbours' lung health at risk." The report recommends banning the installation of new stoves in homes, phasing out domestic wood burning in urban areas, and launching a national campaign on the health impacts of air pollution. Judy, a retired asthma sufferer, said: "If your lungs are sensitive, and you inhale wood smoke regularly, it's worse than second-hand cigarette smoke — and recovery is difficult, if not impossible."
