CA1D0FD000005DC-517_634x456.jpg' alt='Thieves And Kings Serial' title='Thieves And Kings Serial' />Does your lifestyle put you at risk from AIR POLLUTION We cant often see it, but air pollution is a killer in fact, its now the biggest cause of early death in the UK after smoking. Leading doctors are warning that tiny pollutants in the air many of them from vehicle emissions are responsible for 4. Thieves And Kings Serial' title='Thieves And Kings Serial' />Britain every year. More than 8. 5 per cent of the country is exposed to illegal levels of air pollution over the course of a year, according to official figures. And the Government is being forced to take action, with a High Court judge giving it until next Monday to come up with an enhanced plan for improving air quality. Tiny pollutants in the air are responsible for 4. Britain a year and more than 8. But its not just outdoor pollution thats a problem indoor sources of pollution, such as wood burning stoves and gas cookers, could also be claiming many lives, according to a report last year by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Does your lifestyle put you at risk from AIR POLLUTION Our investigation will make you think twice about opening a car window or buying a trendy woodburning stove. Find movie reviews, showtimes and film news for San Francisco Bay Area SFGate. Ian McShane, Actor Kung Fu Panda. From a lawless, foulmouthed saloon owner in Deadwood to a tough, nononsense British gangster in Sexy Beast, Ian McShane has. Have you ever wondered how popular Instagram models can afford their lavish lifestyles All of them post selfies in which theyre showing off expensive sports cars. A yearlong manhunt ended last weekend, when police arrested a gang of five Romanian stunt thieves near a large collection of Van Gogh paintings in the Netherlands. Breakout Kings is an American crime drama television series that premiered on the AE Network on March 6, 2011. Breakout Kings was created by Nick Santora and Matt. Air pollution has been linked to a wide range of health problems. Exposure to high levels over many years can raise the risk of heart disease, stroke, lung conditions such as asthma, various cancers, and possibly dementia. Meanwhile, earlier this month, a U. S. study warned that women living in heavily polluted areas have a higher chance of developing breast cancer. And its tiny particles 3. Known as PM 2. 5, these are microscopic bits of carbon and other materials emitted from sources such as vehicles, fires and heavy industry. Any exposure to particulate matter is damaging to health, says expert Dr Ben Barratt, a senior lecturer in air quality at Kings College London. Particles in the PM 2. Some can even enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart and brain. Air pollution has been linked to a wide range of health problems. Exposure to high levels over many years can raise the risk of heart disease, stroke, lung conditions such as asthma, various cancers, and possibly dementia file photo While children, the elderly and those with existing disease are the most vulnerable, even healthy people are at risk. Experts warn that over time, high levels of pollution can cause our airways and blood vessels to become slowly damaged. In the short term, healthy people will not see any effects, says Dr Barratt. But in the long term, if you are continually exposed to high levels of pollution, it increases the risk of disease later in life. Despite this, most of us have no idea about the quality of air were breathing in or how we can protect ourselves. To investigate, Good Health, working with Kings College London, gave five people in different parts of the country air pollution monitors to record their exposure throughout the day. The monitors specifically detected levels of black carbon one of the key forms of PM 2. Its main source in the UK is exhaust emissions from diesel vehicles and domestic fires. As a guide, the World Health Organisation recommends our exposure to PM 2. EUs upper limit is 2. The average level of black carbon measured in London over the day our volunteers were tested was 5 micrograms per cubic metre of air. Interior designer Claire Hall, 5. Dirty air can linger in a car whereas walkers and cyclists, who are not in a confined space, have a constant source of fresher air around them. THE SCHOOL RUN MUMClaire Hall, 5. Notting Hill in West London. Married with three children, she drives several times a day including taking her children to school. HIGHEST READING 1. LOWEST READING 1. AVERAGE READING OVER DAY 3. Claire was exposed to by far the highest levels of pollution in this study. At one point during the hour long morning school run, which takes her on a busy dual carriageway, her readings peaked briefly at 1. EU for PM 2. 5 exposure, and 1. World Health Organisation. At other times during the journey they were still very high, often in the 3. West London. This is double the average recorded on the streets of London outside that day, says Dr Barratt. Contrary to what you might think, being tucked away in a car can actually expose you to more pollution than when cycling or walking on a busy road. Travelling in a car is like being trapped in a pollution box, says Dr Barratt. When you are sitting in traffic anywhere not just in London youre likely to be sitting right behind the exhaust of the vehicle in front of you. The inlet for your air vent is right next to that belching exhaust pipe and the fumes from other cars are literally being sucked into yours. The main concern is children, because their lungs are still growing. Given that smoking in cars has recently been banned, air pollution is something to be aware of. Diesel particles are particularly bad as they contain very high volumes of PM 2. This dirty air can then linger in a car whereas walkers and cyclists, who are not in a confined space, have a constant source of fresher air around them. Its not just the high volume of cars on the road thats a cause for concern. Stop start driving for example when driving over a speed bump or at traffic lights has been shown almost to double the amount of harmful gases that cars pump out. Dr Barratt advises avoiding driving wherever possible. If its unavoidable, use air re circulating options close air vents and let the air in the car recirculate when stuck in traffic to avoid excessive amounts of exhaust fumes coming into the car, keep windows closed and choose less congested routes. When I drive, which isnt very often, I close the air vent when in a traffic queue and turn the engine off, he adds. Claire says That reading on the way to school has shocked me. By London standards, the traffic is light on this journey. Thankfully, I dont drive the children every day its meant to be a treat twice a week, but its something I feel I should give up now. Lawyer Tim Ross, 5. Tube or driving to work. He doesnt wear a face mask, which only offers limited protection. Indiana Ebook Project. THE CITY CYCLISTTim Ross, 5. East London. He cycles 2. Central London. HIGHEST READING 2. LOWEST READING 0. AVERAGE READING OVER DAY 1. Despite a peak of 2. Tim was exposed to an average of just 3. Tim is definitely better off cycling than driving or getting the Tube to work, says Dr Barratt. Research has found high levels of PM 2. London Underground stations, ranging from 2. Tims data shows peaks and troughs its higher where he stops at busy junctions and is exposed to car exhaust emissions but he was exposed to nothing like the levels Claire was in her car at the same time of day. Tim does not wear a face mask while cycling. These offer only limited protection, however, because the tiny pollution particles can still get in around the side, says Dr Barratt. Tim says Im really pleased that my pollution exposure was lower than if I was driving or taking the Tube to work. I cycle to keep fit and this is an added bonus to something I already enjoy. Now there are dedicated cycle lanes, it means Im not in the thick of the traffic any more. Financial website entrepeneur Lindsay Cook, 6. THE OWNER OF A WOOD BURNERLindsay Cook, 6. She lives in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, with her husband and has a wood burning stove in her house that was built nine years ago. HIGHEST READING 1. LOWEST READING 0. AVERAGE READING OVER DAY 1. Wood burning stoves are fast becoming a must have household item more than a million British homes now have one.