Pollution and Dust in Britain Bring Health Warnings

LONDON — A combination of air pollution and dust from the Sahara on Wednesday prompted British authorities to issue a smog alert and a health warning for the elderly and for people with heart or lung problems.

High levels of air pollution were reported in several parts of England, with the worst conditions in the eastern part of the country, where light easterly winds trapped domestic pollution, brought in particles from the European continent and drew in Saharan dust.

Central London had moderate levels of air pollution on Wednesday, with a score of 6 on an index on which 10 ranks “very high.”

“I am looking out of my window and the sky is milky white,” said Rob MacKenzie, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Birmingham. “Call it mist or haze or smog, that reduced visibility is telling you that pollution in the air is greater than normal.”

High levels of pollution in and around Paris last month led the French government to impose a partial driving ban, reduce speed limits and offer free mass transit for several days.

Most people are not affected by temporary spikes in air pollution, said Sotiris Vardoulakis, the director of the air pollution and climate change group at the Center for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards of Public Health England, a government agency. But vulnerable groups, including people with heart or lung conditions, could experience a worsening of their symptoms.

But environmental campaigners called on the government to take more action to curb domestic air pollution. “We know that part of the problem is caused by Saharan dust, but we also know that the United Kingdom has an abysmal record in tackling air pollution in our towns and cities,” said Keith Taylor, a member of the European Parliament from the Green Party.