Many landscapers will tell you that part of the joy of working outside is the fresh, clean air, but for those landscapers working in the London that is not the case.
A report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that 95% of people living in London live in areas with air containing dangerous toxic particles that exceed the acceptable limit by 50% or more.
Pollution from vehicles is one of the major factors for the decline in air quality, with older and diesel vehicles the worst polluters. The Mayor of London has already introduced the T-Charge which will charge older more polluting vehicles when entering London to tackle this.
He has also asked for funding from three major car manufacturers BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen to contribute to the fund set up to tackle the capital’s air pollution crisis, as they have done in Germany.
But these are not the only pollutants with the majority of dirty air a product of tyre and break wear, construction and wood burning and with serious effects including respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
If you think you work outside of London and think this won’t affect you, there is increasing evidence that dangerously polluted air is damaging to the health of individuals across the country, and not just in the capital.
Landscapers, garden designers, and interior designers have responded to this by creating air purifying gardens, or bringing air purifying plants inside. This continues to be a trend that grows year on year and was included in the Garden Trends Report for 2018.
According to a report conducted by NASA the top five houseplants for air purification are Peace Lily, Chrysanthemum and Red Edged Dracaena, Variegated Snake Plant and English Ivy.
This is all information which is food for thought when it comes to working outside. And especially for those working in the city.
