Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Leicestershire’s industry and business leaders are being invited to an event that could be good for their employees’ health.

Experts from the Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability will discuss adverse effects of atmospheric pollution on performance in the workplace, at a free seminar and lunch.

The event will be hosted by Mattioli Woods, at its Leicester office in New Walk, on the morning of Wednesday 15 November.

Event-goers will hear how air, noise pollution and climate change can have an adverse effect on health, with tips on how to minimise health risks in the workplace.

Research undertaken by the centre has found startling evidence of everyday atmospheric pollution causing harm to people’s health.

A published this summer cited which found transport noise, including from road traffic and aeroplanes, can be a contributing factor to ill health and disease, including heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

The centre has also found a while another examined the impact chemicals in the air in hospitals had on the health of healthcare workers.

Researchers from the centre also investigated . Another , found that adults and children with cystic fibrosis living near composting facilities could be risking their lung health and be exposed to fungal and bacterial disease.

Centre Director, Professor of Environmental Epidemiology, Anna Hansell, and her team will present sessions during the day.

Professor Hansell said: “Whilst climate change is the number one challenge to the planet, few people are aware the pollutants found in our everyday environments are the number two challenge.

“While there is good evidence that air pollution harms health, there is growing concern about the many thousands of chemicals in daily use, from ‘forever chemicals’ to flame retardants, microplastics and pesticides. While previously thought to be harmless, these environmental exposures are likely to contribute to rising numbers of cancers, brain disease, poor fertility, and allergic disease.

“The World Health Organisation estimates that unhealthy environments account for up to a quarter of deaths round the world each year.”

“While this global figure is frightening, we can take action in the workplace, supported by evidence from scientific research. By finding out about the risks, business leaders can put in place measures to protect their colleagues’ health, which in turn will benefit the business.

Initially sponsored by Mattioli Woods founder, Bob Woods MBE, the centre, which was originally named the Centre for Environmental Medicine and Sustainability, was the first of its kind in the UK.

.