Britons are being warned they may suffer breathing problems, with parts of the South Coast, West Country, Midlands and South Wales worst affected. As a potentially-lethal cloud of Saharan sand, toxic air and local pollution sat over Britain.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Britons are being warned they may suffer breathing problems, with parts of the South Coast, West Country, Midlands and South Wales worst affected. As a potentially-lethal cloud of Saharan sand, toxic air and local pollution sat over Britain.

Millions of asthmatics unable to breathe as giant cloud of Saharan sand and toxic air covers Britain in layer of smog

Air pollution set to hit 10/10 due to dust from Sahara mixing with local pollution and toxic air from Europe
Parts of the South Coast, West Country, Midlands and South Wales are worst affected by the problem
Dust has been generated from two source areas - one in central Algeria and another in southern Morocco
Meteorologists say it's 'particularly bad with weather conditions creating "perfect storm" for air pollution'
Those in affected areas advised to reduce strenuous outdoor exercise, especially if they get a sore throat
Adults and children with lung problems, heart problems and pensioners should avoid vigorous activity
Asthma sufferers may have to use inhalers more frequently for a few days until levels drop on Friday
But the dust does have positive aspects for fish in the Atlantic Ocean and the Brazilian rainforest

By Mark Duell and Fiona Macrae and Ted Thornhill
Published: 18:13 EST, 1 April 2014 | Updated: 10:56 EST, 2 April 2014

Millions of asthmatics were today having trouble breathing as a potentially-lethal cloud of Saharan sand, toxic air and local pollution sat over Britain.
One sufferer said she felt like she had 'a baby elephant sitting on my chest’, while another said her lungs felt like they had ‘cobwebs’ inside them.
Even those without health difficulties have been told by experts to reduce outdoor exercise, with air pollution set to hit 10 out of 10 in some areas.
Britons are being warned they may suffer breathing problems, with parts of the South Coast, West Country, Midlands and South Wales worst affected.
Those in affected areas are advised to reduce the strenuous outdoor exercise they do, especially if they start to suffer from a cough or sore throat.

Protection: A cyclist uses a pollution mask in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, as a potentially-lethal cloud of Saharan sand, toxic air and local pollution sits over Britain

Not a good day for seeing far: A misty bird's eye view of London from the Shard building near London Bridge

Winding river: Air pollution in London this morning as the Government warns people with breathing problems to stay indoors

Distant: The Millennium Dome is shrouded in smog in London, as seen from a viewing gallery in the Orbit sculpture during a tour organised for the media

Defra, the environment department, reported reported rural areas of south-east England as having 'high' levels of pollution as of 3pm today.

Forecasters say pollution levels could reach much higher levels later today, with Defra predicting continuing high levels tomorrow.

Adults and children with lung problems, heart problems and pensioners should avoid vigorous activity today and tomorrow, according to doctors.

And asthmatics are being warned that they could suffer flare-ups, with experts saying they might need to use inhalers more frequently for a few days.

Asthma UK chief executive Kay Boycott issued a warning today many of the 5.4million people who suffer from the breathing condition in Britain.

She said: 'The two thirds of people with asthma who find that air pollution makes their asthma worse will be at an increased risk of an attack.'

Author Emma Cannon, of London, said on Twitter: 'Went for a run yesterday on Embankment - air pollution, sore throat and asthma in bed last night.'

Jenny Henderson added: 'I now know why I feel like I have a baby elephant sitting on my chest this morning… pollution levels... asthma... deep joy - not!'