Parts of the UK could reach the highest level of air pollution on Friday, 10th April prompting health warnings.
Warm, still conditions are expected to combine with traffic fumes, pollution from the continent and Saharan dust from the south as it rises to level 10.
Much of the South East and eastern England will see high levels of pollution, although the problem is expected to be short-lived.
Defra said overnight Atlantic winds will disperse polluted air by Saturday.
In areas experiencing very high levels of air pollution, adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems and older people are advised to avoid strenuous activity.
People are also advised to reduce physical exertion, particularly outside, and asthma sufferers may need to use their reliever inhaler more often.
How concerning?
By James Gallagher, Health editor, BBC News website
Healthy people tend to notice air pollution as a dry throat, sore eyes or a tickly cough.
But it can have a more serious impact on health by being the trigger for a heart attack or by making asthma worse.
Even low levels of air pollution can harm the health of people who are particularly sensitive.
But on Friday pollution will hit “level 10” or “very high” – the highest category of air pollution in the UK.
It does not mean people need to stay indoors.
But it is the only category of air pollution at which at-risk people – those with heart or lung problems and the elderly – are told to completely avoid strenuous physical activity.
Even healthy people are told to cut down on the amount of physical exertion.
However, the pollution will be brief and levels will drop to low/moderate by Saturday.
People are also advised to avoid busy roads and those who carry a reliever inhaler should always have it with them.
Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: “This latest high air pollution episode, coming so soon after the last, is troubling, and could again put people living with respiratory conditions at risk of worsening symptoms.”
‘National embarrassment’
A Defra spokeswoman said: “This is expected to clear on Saturday and pollution levels will return to low throughout the morning.”
Professor Paul Monks, chairman of the Air Quality Expert Group, said air pollution is not taken seriously enough because it is an “invisible menace”.
“If they can’t see it they often don’t think about it,” he said.
Professor Monks said the levels of air pollution had reduced since the 1990s, but warned that the levels that remain are a “persistent problem”.
A case brought by environmental lawyers Client Earth against the government over levels of air pollution that breach European Union rules is shortly to return to the Supreme Court.
Philip Insall, director of health for cycling charity Sustrans, described the state of air pollution in Britain as “criminal” and a “national embarrassment”.
He said: “The next government will need to get a grip on air pollution.
“That will mean serious, dedicated investment and an effective programme of action to help more people out of their cars and choosing walking and cycling for short journeys.”
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