At a time when regular exercise is so crucial to the fight against Covid-19 and part of the government’s strategy to combat the virus, a new report shows that many of us are forced to exercise in dirty air. Latest data from a study commissioned by the Breathe GB campaign shows dangerous levels of air pollution across our public spaces and sports grounds.

39 out of 78 outdoor sites (including public parks, playgrounds and sports fields) had average levels of PM2.5 way over WHO guidelines despite lockdown restrictions of vehicles and industry. These levels are continuing to rise and expected to exceed those recorded in 2019 These shocking figures were seen in sites across England and highlight how exercising outdoors and sport could be for both children and adults.

Particulate pollution (known as PM2.5) is considered particularly dangerous as the microscopic particles enter via the lungs and get absorbed into the bloodstream and is associated with a wide range of health conditions including lung cancer, asthma, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and depression.

Popular running routes such as Deansgate in Manchester had monthly levels of PM2.5 over twice the recommended limit between January and June whilst well known sports grounds like Perry Park in Birmingham, the home of the Commonwealth Games in 2022, continues to be one of the most polluted spots in the country.

Merseybank Playing Fields, where a young Marcus Rashford trained in Manchester, reported some of the highest levels of air pollution of the year in England. Even Boris Johnson’s favoured running route around Lambeth Palace in London showed dangerous levels of PM2.5.

Well known outdoor parks like Victoria Park in London, Sutton Park in Birmingham and Roundhay Park in Leeds all registered monthly pollution levels above WHO guidelines at multiple points this year. During lockdown these parks were recommended for outdoor exercise for residents and their families, yet pollution levels could have actually been making their resilience to Covid-19 worse. It is undoubted that physical exercise leads to a healthier lifestyle and in turn improves the body’s ability to fight the coronavirus.

“Physical fitness equals resilience,”says Professor Stephen Holgate, Medical Research Council Clinical Professor of Immunopharmacology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton. “If you lose your ability to exercise you become more vulnerable to a variety of diseases, including infectious diseases like Covid-19.”

Experts at Gwinnett Pulmonary Group recommend that regular moderate exercise has been shown to protect the body against the Covid-19 virus by improving the body’s immune response to infection whilst breathing in dirty air increases our risk.

In London, it is now perfectly normal for the Mayor’s office to warn PE teachers in advance of days when levels of dirty air are expected to be “medium” or “high”. On such days, teachers are warned that: “Anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors.” At the height of a pandemic, this should simply not be the case.

“I am concerned that if pollution levels are not addressed, and even rise, children will not get outside as much and be active. Children with breathing problems are being penalised in particular, through no fault of their own. The activity I’m doing has to be carefully considered and they need extra rest and breaks. The government want children to be active but then we are telling them to reduce their exercises sometimes due to pollution.” – Jack Ohene, a PE teacher at Isleworth Town Primary School, Hounslow.

Dr Alex Armitage Paediatric specialist and children’s A&E doctor in London adds- “How can we expect our children to exercise, stay healthy, even play sport if they can’t go outside because of the air. Air pollution damages children’s health, beginning in the womb and continuing throughout childhood and into adult life. In the children’s emergency department where I work we see the worst cases – young children coming in with life-threatening respiratory illness – but dirty air affects us all. If we stop burning fuel and producing particulates, we could have a much stronger, healthier and happier population.”