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AIR POLLUTION CAUSES harm to people at all stages of life, including reducing sperm count and damaging foetal growth, new research has shown.
A review of key evidence by researchers in the UK on the effects of air pollution, drawing from more than 35,000 studies in the last 10 years, has detailed the ways it causes harm from pre-birth to old age.
The researchers, from Imperial College London’s Environmental Research Group, said particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are particularly harmful – both of which come from vehicle exhausts.
There is no evidence to identify a threshold where PM2.5 does no harm and even people living in the least polluted suburbs of London are still being affected, they said.
The authors wrote: “While headline figures on the health impact of air pollution focus on the equivalent number of premature deaths, the wider impacts are hiding in plain sight in the contribution of air pollution to the burden of chronic diseases.
“These affect our quality of life and have a large cost to society through additional health and social care costs, as well our ability to learn, work and contribute to society.”
During pregnancy, air pollution harms foetal development and can cause low birth weight, miscarriages and a low sperm count in men.
In children, it can stunt lung growth, cause asthma and affect blood pressure, cognitive abilities and mental health.
In adulthood, it makes early death more likely through multiple chronic illnesses, cancer and strokes.
“Perhaps, the most important new finding is evidence related to both the impact of air pollution on brain health, including mental health and dementia, and early life impacts that could lead to future health burdens within the population,” the authors wrote.
“Both represent significant, but currently unquantified costs to society and the economy.”
Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah was the first person to have air pollution listed as a cause of death for an individual person in the UK.
She died in 2013 at the age of nine after suffering an asthma attack brought on by inhaling traffic fumes.
Public Health England estimated that up to 43,000 people a year are dying in the UK because of air pollution and that it could cost the country as much as £18.6 billion by 2035 unless action is taken.
The authors of the current research said: “Policies should be aimed at reducing the accumulating harm from air pollution and the health degradation, in addition to protecting people who have become vulnerable to current pollution concentrations.”
The work was commissioned by the Greater London Authority and drew heavily on findings from the World Health Organisation, the UK Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution, the Royal College of Physicians, the Health Effects Institute, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
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Tailored shorts should be no issue in the workplace.
@Peter Cavey:
As Monty Python sang: “I’m a lumberjack…..”
@Peter Cavey: oooowww, taaailored shorts!
@Peter Cavey: yes, fine if you’re working from home.
Bizarre in 2019 that so many are still in favour of forcing people to wear certain kinds of clothing despite knowing it’s making them uncomfortable.
@Rochelle: Shorts fine outdoors, not indoor working. If it’s uncomfortable, change job.
@Niall O’Neill: Why on earth do you even care?
@Rochelle: Can I go to work in a mankini? What’s comfortable for me may not be comfortable for those around me.
@Conall: If shorts on someone else makes you uncomfortable though, yer a bit sensitive.
@Conall: it’s shorts we’re talking about…. SHORTS
@Conall: Do you really think a man wearing shorts is some kind of radical statement? This is hilarious!
@Niall O’Neill: can I wear a skirt or dress instead?
@Shawn O’Ceallaghan: depends on what your legs look like and if you’re wearing flats or heels.
@Niall O’Neill: if your that sensitive maybe you should change jobs
@Niall O’Neill: Lol! So Irish, still horrified by the world without constant rain.
@Niall O’Neill: ah cmon a pair of shorts is no harm at alll
If you cant wear it into a meeting then don’t wear it to work. Can you imagine you go in and all of a sudden a top boss calls you into a board meeting to give your view on something. Here you are looking like you heading to the beach in Barcelona.
@Arya: What? How does this look like you’re going to the beach https://pin.it/7pwrac4zg37u25
@Arya: in my experience, men in expensive suits are no more likely to display intelligence than those in shorts. Take Richard Branson for example. It’s the content of the message that counts not the package that delivers it. That said, I do accept that there is a certain expectation regarding dress code but maybe it’s time to move forward?
@Paul Shepherd: Branson’s a ballix
@Ryan: Board shorts for the board room. Perfectly cromulent attire.
@Ryan: Correction Branson’s a rich ballix.
@Arya: WTF has that got to do with your ability to do the job ???? All this best foot forward stiff upper lip BS. As long as they look respectable it stupid to make them an issue
@Arya: have you seen the way some td’s dress. Someone in smart shorts would look alot better.
@Paul Shepherd: I’ve found the opposite. I found men in suits are not as intelligent as the guy in shorts in a heatwave.
@Ian Breathnach: they look like two saps, so that’s a NO, for work.
it’s acceptable for women to have bare legs when wearing skirts, why not men?
As long as they aren’t hot pants
@Michael Byrne: nobody wants a bit of ball scrag popping out to say hello when Barry is giving his forecasts for the year ahead.
@Bruce Van der Gutschmitzer: Barry is in a mankini.
@Michael Byrne: who loves short shorts? I love short shorts?
@Leadóg: no hiding there
Shorts – are they suitable for work? Do you for mean men and women? If yes then how could shorts be unsuitable if skirts are? I have a half memory of men in some job abroad starting to wear skirts because they were allowed in the uniform code and shorts were not. Then there the issue of short skirts and short shorts but that’s for another day.
@Phil O’ Meara: Train drivers and conductors in Stockholm. I teach in Stockholm, and had that “strike” in mind when I was told I couldn’t wear shorts and it was 32 degrees. I told them I’d come in the next hot day in a dress. They weren’t willing to risk it, and they were right not to.
The whole shorts/skirt debate I get but I guess historically, women weren’t allowed wear trousers to work at one point and had to wear a skirt, so it’s perceived as “dressy”.
Generally, if a woman is wearing a skirt to work, she has it dressed up with a top or blouse and a pair of shoes. She isn’t going to be wearing a tshirt or football jersey and runners, which is kind of what you imagine when you think of shorts on men. So if they want to wear shorts, they’d have to wear sensible suit style shorts and shoes in the same way a woman dresses up a skirt.
Personally, I want to wear neither, quite happy in my jeans
@JC: how historical do you want to go back? Women have been wearing trousers in work for over half a century. Further back men were high heels. Time has moved on
@Craic_a_tower: I never said I agreed, I said that is probably where the perception came from. At no point were shorts something men would traditionally wear to work. Traditionally shorts were what little boys wore until they grew up and could get into long trousers
@JC: Jeans are not work attire either unless you work on a building site.. Maybe okay on casual day but that’s about it.
@Gerry O’Sullivan: I’m currently in an office in my jeans. And I’m in the financial software industry.
Sure I’ll wear a suit / business outfit if I’m meeting a client but normally it’s denims, boots and a tee shirt with a movie quote.
Would ya ever feck off with your building site nonsense.
@Gerry O’Sullivan: I work in IT – I’m not going to ask my staff to come in suited and booted to crawl under peoples manky desks to replace cables and whatnot.
@JC: 25 years ago I was working in the USA in an office and wore shorts. I was by no means the exception and it was a very large international company. As for wearing jeans pretty much every company I have worked for has no issue. The one place that had a strict dress code was the most lowly skilled office job that had no dealings with the public. What was worse was the men’s dress policy was 4 times larger. Ridiculous stuff like no print pattern ties.
@Craic_a_tower: again “traditionally”. Great that you could wear shorts in the USA but there are a lot of company’s who are very stuffy about their dress policy so don’t think that would be the norm in Ireland.
Personally, unless its a public customer facing role, I couldn’t give a f*ck what someone was wearing. Someone wearing a suit & tie isn’t going to do more work than someone in jeans and a tshirt. In fact, if the latter is more comfortable to someone, that would probably result in better work output.
I’m currently wearing shorts in work so I hope so!
@Dave Byrne: Are you a lifeguard by any chance,ok, two more guesses…..are you a boxer,no, ok , do you work for a shorts company…..I give up, no, do you own the company….any vacancies in this weather.
@Dave Byrne: I hope you’re not on the phone in goal…
@Honeybee: He’s a center forward for Liverpool so it’s ok.
Of course they’re suitable.
If woman can wear skirts (and I suspect no one would bat an eyelid at tailored capris / shorts) than i can’t imagine anyone complaining about men wearing tailored shorts would have a leg to stand on ;)
But then I’d have zero issue if they chose to wear a skirt either. Or a kilt. As long as it’s respectable (of that’s the office you have) wear whatever you damn well please.
All that being said, the minute you move into Client facing situations you might wanna revisit that :)
@Tricia G: Everybody seems to be equating men wearing shorts with women wearing skirts, but is that really equivalent? Would women wearing shorts be equivalent to wearing skirts? I’m not so sure.
@Squiddley Diddley: That’s why I specifically mentioned ” tailored capris / shorts”.
@Tricia G: Ok sorry. Personally I don’t care what people wear, I spend a lot of time in building sites where lumberjack shirts often talk more sense than suits and ties. Speaking of which I think men should abandon ties in warm weather.
@Squiddley Diddley: Ties make very little sense to me. They’re mainly decoration, a follow on from a previous age. Although they are more aesthetically pleasing than just a buttoned up shirt……
@Squiddley Diddley: ok let’s equate it men wearing sarongs then instead.
That evens it out.
Equality works both ways, weird and all as it may sound.
Women can wear skirts. So if you think that men can’t wear shorts, you’re an evil sexist monster!
@Greg Ward: men can wear skirts / bring our your inner Beckham
@Greg Ward: Would it be strange to see a woman at work in shorts? Just asking, don’t Have any opinion either way…
@Squiddley Diddley: Depends on the shorts. Capri shorts, no, short shorts, yeah, that would be a tad weird.
I think it’s acceptable to wear shorts in a job where you don’t have to interact with people outside of your office colleagues. In a job where you have to meet clients and business partners, then obviously first impression is important and you should present yourself in a respectable manner.
@will: Is dressing in a way that makes you sweaty, irritated and unable to focus being “respectful” to the customer?
Some people are far too hung up on the deception of professionalism rather than acting in a professional way.
I’m in UK at moment. So many guys in shorts, truly horrific mostly, great nobly knees, and it don’t stop at shorts, then its flip flops. A whole other issue.
@David J Warren:
Knobbly sorry
@David J Warren: No noble knees?
I am surprised Leo has not invited the government and TDs to attend work wearing shorts … would be remarkable photo opps too
The picture you’ve used to illustrate the article appears to be a gentleman working in a pair of pink boxers. He is unsurprisingly working alone.
The only strange thing I noticed was that he apparently has to wear a long-sleeved shirt with it. Maybe for video-conferencing? Personally I can’t stand pink, but each to their own. I have no issues with shorts. It’s hot enough out. Most of us commute. The more comfortably we can dress, the better.
For many men, wearing shorts would certainly kill of the risk of dating fellow employees … so that may be a good thing
Depends how much ya packing
@Davei:
That can be …….. augmented!
My lot are lucky I’ve any clothes on at all today!
Depends on the job I suppose. In general though many places have a professional dress code and you just have to follow it.
Depends on the shorts. If all the guys started turning up in my place wearing short shorts, I’m ringing in sick! And yes I’d have the same reaction if the women start doing it too!
It should be acceptable to wear anything. What one wears has no bearing whatsoever on how one performs.
Totally against this, don’t see why I should have to cover up and wear shorts.
Shorts and open-toe shoes are completely unacceptable in a work environment in my opinion.
Short answer?- …
Has no-one been to the Middle East and beyond, where long, light and loose clothes are traditional for men and women alike. Not just to dissipate heat and sweat but also as protection from the sun. Shorts might be a bit too casual for many businesses but those should have airconditioning. For others, they might be ok provided they’re not too short or painted on.
This poll discriminates against everyone who’s not a soft handed office worker.
Tis more acceptable to change your gender than your pant attire
Depends on your work. In office work, depends if you are front- or back office, if you have external visitors/seminars etc. In my view shorts are basically ok in everyday work. But dont greet a foreign delegation or pitch your gig in shorts.
Little difference between tailored shorts and a skirt above the knee. A dress policy doesn’t constitute professionalism, collective progressive attitude and culture do. Shorts are common practice across the world in warmer countries and, where safety and health (common sense) permit, I personally don’t have an issue.
As an Irishman who’s lived in Australia for 20 years, this is hilarious.
We are not allowed to wear shorts to work until temps are over 35C.
20C and you want to wear shorts to work??!!!
I’ve obviously acclimatised. I’m in a wooly jumper in 20C lol
He’ll yeah . Try work outdoors all day in that heat in long trousers. Not nice
You would need to be a lunatic to think shorts are inappropriate. Ability to do job is most important. Weird puritan dress codes have no basis in current society apart from PPE.
I think a plain coloured short that came to the knee should be allowed. Wouldn’t think the pink ones in the photo would be appropriate.
Would you ever get over yourselves? It’s 18 degrees out there and you’re talking about wearing shorts at work??
No problem women wearing sleeveless outfits. why men can wear smart casual shorts??
If people can were their cultural / religious clothing. Shorts are part of ours normal worn when hot. There was never a reason not to. Just like those whom wear cultural / religious clothing. There should not be a problem at all.
Not acceptable for men, acceptable for some wowen.
Sure if its ok for men to wear skirts why wouldn’t it be ok to wear shorts
My first answer is no way. But for the first time ever, the comments here have caused me to stop and think. If women can wear skirts, why can’t guys wear shorts?
I think it would be up to the “experts” in fashion and design to come up with an appropriate look of men’s shorts that would work in a corporate setting. What socks and shoes would they wear with it? What kind of shirt? Would it look professional? Maybe this will actually become a thing but at the moment I don’t know of any style of men’s shorts that would really work.
I work in construction and its not allow from a safety stand point
Short trousers for this warm weather YES
Just wear a skirt and identify as female for the day.
If women can have skirts and dresses then men can have shorts.
Iv worn a dress when I was told shorts weren’t allowed. My boss changed his mind after 2 hours
If women can have skirts and dresses then men can have shorts.
Iv worn a dress when I was told shorts weren’t allowed. My boss changed his mind after 2 hours
Normal shorts about knee length yes.. Them 3/4 length girly ones with the the no socks malarky no.
How about everyone goes naked? Problem solved.
Tis more acceptable to change your gender than your pant attire
37% at the time o read this are just bitter C***s
If women can have skirts and dresses then men can have shorts.
Iv worn a dress when I was told shorts weren’t allowed. My boss changed his mind after 2 hours
119 = 4% 96=5%
Something wrong here lads
Shorts fine. Flip flops feck off
If women can have skirts and dresses then men can have shorts.
Iv worn a dress when I was told shorts weren’t allowed. My boss changed his mind after 2 hours
have your say