Allergies

One in four of the UK population will suffer from an allergy during their lifetime, and every year the number of sufferers is rising by 5 per cent. The two main groups of allergens are those in the home (like dust mites and animal fur) causing conditions like rhinitis, asthma or eczema, or allergens in food. Reactions to allergies range from inconveniences like a runny nose to a severe and sudden anaphylactic shock which can be fatal. If you are worried about an allergy contact your GP and ask for a referral to your nearest allergy specialist.

British Allergy Foundation, Deepdene House, 30 Bellgrove Rd, Welling, Kent, DA16 3PY
(The BAF has a list of specialists but you will still need to be referred by your GP).
Helpline:     020 8303 8583 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
Web:        www.allergyfoundation.com

Asthma

One of the most well-known impacts of air pollution is an increase in asthma attacks. The incidence of asthma appears to have more than doubled in the last 15 years. Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood with around one in seven children affected. Evidence of a link between pollution and asthma is certainly accumulating, but there is no proof yet of a causal relationship. We do know that pollution can aggravate asthma symptoms and can also trigger an asthma attack. Government health experts have concluded that 'there is a consistent, though modest, association between exposure to traffic and asthma prevalence in children'. Other researchers have found that people living in streets with heavy traffic tended to suffer more illness than residents of streets with light traffic.

The pollutants which are of most concern in relation to asthma are ozone, particulates and nitrogen oxides, all of which are the result of vehicle emissions. Mixtures of pollutants may also be particularly damaging. For more information read our briefing Road Transport, Air Pollution and Health (see below).

National Asthma Campaign, Providence House, Providence Place, London N1 ONT
(Research into asthma causes and treatment, and support for sufferers).
Helpline:     0845 7 01 02 03 (9am to 7pm Monday to Friday)
Web:        www.asthma.org.uk

There are two kinds of eczema: atopic eczema, caused by an allergic reaction, and irritant contact dermatitis, caused by the skin being in contact with a substance that strips it of the skin's natural oils. Common causes are soaps, detergents, shampoos, disinfectants and bleaches. For more information contact the National Eczema Society.

National Eczema Society, Hill House, Highgate Hill, London N19 5NA
Helpline:     0870 241 3604 (1 - 4pm Monday to Friday)
Web:        www.eczema.org

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

The British Society for Allergy, Environmental and Nutritional Medicine (BSAENM) have published research on multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). It is difficult to establish the chronic effects of exposure to chemicals, particularly when we are exposed to cocktails of chemicals which vary from day to day. Sufferers of MCS may suffer adverse reactions to the trigger chemical or chemicals when exposed to concentrations not normally considered toxic because they are sensitised to them.

The BSAENM publishes many useful materials (see below) and keeps a list of practitioners who accept referrals. All the practitioners prefer patients to be referred by their GP but some will waive this under special circumstances.

British Society for Allergy, Environmental and Nutritional Medicine, PO Box 7, Knighton, Powys LD7 1WT
Information:     0906 3020010 (Premium line)     Telephone: 01547 550380
Web:        www.bsaenm.org.uk

Exposure to Pesticides

Pesticide Action Network UK is an independent body working to eliminate the hazards of pesticides. It runs the support group PEX for anyone whose health has been affected by exposure to pesticides. The PEX project provides information about pesticides, and puts exposure sufferers in contact with one another and with sympathetic professionals. To avoid pesticide residues you may also wish to eat organic food when possible. For further information read our briefing The Filthy Four Pesticides (details below).

Pesticide Action Network UK, Eurolink Centre, 49 Effra Road, London SW2 1BZ
Tel:     020 7274 8895
Web:    www.pan-uk.org

Children and Chemicals

There is increasing concern about the potential impact that exposure to some chemicals may be having on children. Many parts of their bodies are developing and may be more susceptible to alterations, and they have a less-developed ability to break down chemicals. The developing foetus is also extremely sensitive to toxic chemicals. Friends of the Earth and the National Childbirth Trust

have published a new pack called Chemicals in the Home: A Parent's Guide, giving information about safer chemicals which is specifically for pregnant mothers and parents of under-fives. A briefing on breastfeeding is also available.

Health and Safety at work

The Health and Safety Executive is the statutory agency dealing with health and safety in the workplace. Contact your local office if you need advice on a health and safety problem, the
interpretation of the law, or a particular issue in your workplace.

Health and Safety Executive, Sheffield Information Centre, Health and Safety Laboratory, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ
Infoline:     08701 545500 (8.30am to 5.0pm Monday to Friday)
Web:        www.hse.gov.uk

The London Hazards Centre website is for union and community organisers anywhere who need health and safety information. Publications include a range of fact sheets on Chemicals, RSI, Asbestos, VDUs, Stress, Sick Buildings and Pesticides.

London Hazards Centre, Old Town Hall Centre, 213 Haverstock Hill, London NW3 4QP
Tel:    020 7794 5999
Web:     www.lhc.org.uk

Living next to Factories and Incinerators

Friends of the Earth believes that knowing the facts about industrial pollution in the UK can help us fight for a healthier environment and for better, up-to-date pollution data. Our Factory Watch website gives you details of the chemicals released by factories in your area. But you will also want to know how these waste chemicals may affect you and your family. In most circumstances the true answer is that nobody knows exactly, as even when we do know about some of the health hazards of a particular chemical it is still difficult to predict a person's exposure and reaction.

We think you have a right to know about pollution, and that publishing this data puts pressure on industry to clean up. Incinerator emissions and toxic ash are also causes for concern, and local people throughout the country are already campaigning against proposals for huge incinerators. Friends of the Earth is urging the government to concentrate its efforts into reducing waste and increasing the UK's woeful recycling rate instead. See below for more information about our community campaign guides and details of useful websites for pollution data.

What to do if you are concerned

We all want to know how chemicals may affect our health. This is probably the most important question, yet the most difficult to answer, because of all the reasons we have outlined in this fact sheet. The organisations listed here will be able to advise you further. If you are concerned about any of the health issues in this briefing - or any other medical matter - you should go first to your GP, who will be best placed to recommend a specialist if necessary.

Publications available from Friends of the Earth

Safer Chemicals Campaign Briefing pack        Free briefing pack
Road Transport, Air Pollution and Health        Free briefing
Chemicals in the Home: A Parent's Guide        Free information pack

BBC Health website
www.bbc.co.uk/health/allergy/
Information and advice about allergies

Environment Agency website
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
The statutory agency for environmental pollution and source of original data

Scorecard website
www.scorecard.org
US site with chemical profiles and associated human health hazards

The Environmental Health department of your council will deal with local matters covering a wide range of issues, including food outlets, pest control, dogs, refuse and noise nuisance. Telephone numbers for this department will be in any local phone book.

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For further information about Friends of the Earth please contact:

Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood Street
London N1 7JQ
Freephone:    0808 800 1111
Email:        info@foe.co.uk
Web:        www.foe.co.uk
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