Liz Godfrey said families in Greater Manchester were breathing wildfire smoke as campaigners recorded a PM2.5 reading of 196 µg/m³ in Didsbury at 11.20am. The Air Quality Index picture on the ground did not match the warning available online, and campaigners said residents were left without clear advice on what to do.
Godfrey, the Greater Manchester coordinator for Mums for Lungs, said: “Families can see the smoke, they can smell it and they can taste it. Parents are understandably worried about their children breathing this air, yet there has been no obvious public health warning telling people how to protect themselves from the health effects of wildfire smoke. Why are Greater Manchester residents not being warned?”
World Health Organization limit
The Didsbury reading was around 13 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended 24-hour limit of 15 µg/m³. Campaigners said the smoke blanketed parts of Greater Manchester while residents reported smoky skies, reduced visibility and the smell of burning vegetation.
Dr Louise Turnbull said wildfire smoke exposure can worsen asthma and other lung diseases, trigger heart problems and cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. She said children, older adults, pregnant women and people with existing heart or respiratory conditions are at greatest risk. Turnbull also said people should stay indoors where possible, keep windows and doors closed, avoid strenuous outdoor exercise and follow public health advice during periods of heavy smoke.
Defra online information
Campaigners said there was no coordinated public health messaging advising people to stay indoors, reduce outdoor activity or take extra precautions. They also questioned why Defra’s online air pollution information continued to indicate low pollution levels while smoke was affecting communities across the region.
The gap mattered most for families trying to judge whether it was safe to let children play outside or go to school. The campaign group said schools had received no dedicated alerts to help minimise children’s exposure, even as the smoke episode continued.
Parents for Future
Rebecca from Parents for Future said: “Today’s smoke isn’t just the result of a fire on the moors – it is a glimpse of the future if we fail to tackle climate change and prepare our communities. As our climate warms, extreme heat and prolonged dr”
Campaigners urged people to avoid burning wood or garden waste while air pollution levels remained elevated. Their push was for immediate warnings and a coordinated response while the smoke was still affecting Greater Manchester, not after residents had already spent the day breathing it.
