UK smog to clear this weekend

The smog levels that have affected many areas of the UK this week are set to fall today (Friday April 4th). It is thought that the weekend will bring with it cleaner air, following the high levels of particulate pollution travelling from the Saharan Desert. However, many areas are still experiencing high pollution levels.

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), around 20 areas ranging from the north of England to the south were still suffering high pollution levels. Many places have seen heavy smog caused by the dust, which has been linked to a number of health problems.

However, it is thought that a fresh air mass will be arriving over the country later in the day, which is expected to push the dust clouds over the North Sea, leaving the air much clearer as we head into the weekend.

As air quality across the UK dropped throughout the week, there has been a higher number of emergency calls made. Yesterday saw the largest rise in 999 calls, with the London Ambulance Services reporting a 14 per cent increase in emergency calls for those experiencing breathing difficulties, heart problems and asthma. The West Midlands Ambulance Service also reported a rise in the number of people experiencing heart and breathing issues.

The smog was caused by dust from the Sahara and emissions from the continent, which were blown over the UK by south-easterly winds. While some areas remained reasonably unaffected, other regions have seen very poor air quality throughout the week. London saw air pollution levels reach "very high", which is the highest level on Defra's scale. 

Prime Minister David Cameron has been criticised for his response to the latest air pollution issue, with Joe Hennon, environment spokesman for the European Commission saying that he "misunderstood" the situation. Mr Hennon told the Guardian that the prime minister's response was "more than disappointing" as he seemed to refer to the air quality as a temporary issue, whereas air pollution is a long-term problem that needs to be dealt with.