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Home > Policy and research > Issues > Air quality

Air quality

Air quality is impacted by both human and natural activity.

Air pollutants come from a range of human activities such as agriculture, driving and heating our homes. Air pollution can also spike during short-term activities such as fireworks and bonfires.

Natural sources include sea salt, material from volcanic activity and suspended soils and dusts.

Air pollution is largely invisible, but exposure is one of the largest challenges to public health. It impacts everyone, and is particularly dangerous for young children, older people and individuals with existing health issues. It is estimated that long term air pollution exposure causes 1,000-1,400 deaths in Wales each year.

Air pollution also impacts wildlife and the quality of our environment.

Tackling air quality

We support preventative actions such as No Idling Zones outside all schools in Wales, but tackling air pollution requires a collaborative approach which considers not just policy interventions, but the promotion of more sustainable lifestyles, working and commuter choices.

One of the priorities must be to raise awareness of this invisible public health concern and collaboration on key messages from multiple sectors of government, business and society.