Piers Morgan believes that air pollution in London is to blame for his hay fever becoming worse over the past three years.
The controversial broadcaster took to Twitter to reveal his epiphany and said his allergies stem from living in the London borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
However, he has been branded a “hypocrite” due to his previous treatment of climate activists who highlight environmental issues caused by air pollution and climate change.
Morgan, 57, tweeted on Monday (30 January): “After three years of thinking I’d developed worsening hay fever, I’ve finally solved the mystery: air pollution.
“I live in one of the UK’s worst polluted areas – Kensington/Chelsea – and when the air quality’s very bad, like last week, I feel rough. When it’s OK, like now, I’m fine. Anyone else?”
The Piers Morgan Uncensored host received dozens of replies from people who have suffered from respiratory issues while living in the capital.
Singer Camilla Kerslake wrote that air pollution was “one of the main reasons we left Wandsworth for Surrey”.
“My breathing (and skin) issues disappeared when we were in Sussex during lockdown and returned as soon as we were back in London. Wasn’t going to rick my son’s little lungs,” she said.
Professor Mo Imam, a surgeon at the New Victoria Hospital, added: “Same; vehicles throw up dust into air. This mixes the pollen and makes it airborne and pollen increases sensitivity as it sticks to pollution particles again, again increasing the effect it has; plus nitrogen dioxide that could be damaging to the lungs and throat, making it worse.”
In a follow-up tweet, Morgan asked for advice from his “fellow air pollution sufferers”.
“I’ve installed a few air purifiers at home, which are very effective, but any other tips? Do you stay inside completely on very bad air quality days? (I have the app to warn me now…),” he wrote.
Some people replied to say they do choose to stay at home during days when the air quality is especially bad, or wear a face mask if they have to go outside.
But others, including climate activist and writer George Monbiot, expressed their disbelief at Morgan’s concerns after his previous comments mocking and attacking climate protesters trying to change government policy.
Monbiot tweeted: “Piers Morgan has spent years attacking and insulting people who have tried to address the causes of air pollution. So, while I sympathise with his suffering and hope he finds relief, please excuse me while I scrape my jaw off the floor.”
One person wrote: “Is [Morgan] actually serious? Maybe if he didn’t spend so much time arguing against environmental protestors then he could have helped clean up the air.”
The presenter has used his platform to ridicule climate campaigner Greta Thunberg in the past. In 2019, he mocked her for attending a global warming demonstration in Vancouver and said: “Congrats. Looks like you’re having a lot of fun despite we ghastly adults ruining your childhood. Will you be reaching school again any time soon?”
He also criticised Monbiot in 2017 for wearing a leather watch despite being a vegan. On Twitter today, he hit back at the writer and said: “No George, I’ve only mocked eco hypocrites like you who go on TV to preach about the virtues of veganism - whilst wearing leather shoes and watch strap.”
Last year, research by the Central Office of Public Interest found that the air surrounding all homes in London is in breach of the World Health Organisation’s toxic air pollution limits.
Scientists found that, on average, the five most polluted boroughs were the City of London, Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Islington.
They launched a website called addresspollution.org that allows people to check their local air pollution levels and call on the government to take action.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) published guidance last February that acknowledged that air pollution “is the largest environmental risk to public health” in the UK.
An estimated 28,000 to 36,000 people die as a result of human-made air pollution in the UK every year, the department said.
