With around 150,000 people expected to descend on Victoria Park this weekend for the annual All Points East festival, concerns are growing online over the state of the site. London has experienced its worst drought on record this summer, turning once lush green parks into barren, yellow wastelands. Just one foot on the grass kicks up a cloud of dirt, and a dust devil recently whipped through Greenwich Park, making headlines.
Dust Concerns Spread on Social Media
Last year, hundreds of festival goers complained about the astronomical amount of dust, which coated their skin, got in their mouths, and turned the park into the set of Dune. With conditions even more dire this year, people on TikTok have been sharing their biggest concerns. 'No one will be able to breathe,' @adoreyoudrada wrote. While @Mel suggested 'should we all just wear PPE at this point?'
To try and calm people's nerves, Jim King, the CEO of events giant AEG which runs the festival, told the Times that last year's 'well-reported dust issues' have informed the group's planning for this year's event. He shared that in 2025, immediately after the show, the festival worked with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to get back into the park and begin an extensive amount of reseeding, which has reportedly made the park 'as strong' as it can be.
Precautions and Health Risks
The team has also brought in extra ground protection, including plastic coverings in high-footfall areas in the park. Despite these precautions, another worry has been that the rain forecast for the next few days could turn the site into a massive 'slip and slide'.
Dr Crystal Wyllie, for Asda Online Doctor, told Metro that dusty environments can irritate your airways and can trigger an immune response that causes your airway muscles to tighten and swell, and mucus production to increase. 'This comes from breathing in fine particles that often irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and can lead to coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath,' she says. This environment can also mean your eyes begin to water and itch, as well as your skin being irritated.
Vulnerable Groups and Mask Advice
Those with sensitive airways, such as asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), are highly vulnerable as dust exposure can spark severe asthma attacks and wheezing, Dr Wyllie adds. 'Dry, windy conditions coupled with large crowds moving across bare ground can increase the amount of dust in the air.'
Australia's National Asthma Council has a whole warning sheet on dust storms and asthma, stressing that 'the longer you're exposed, the greater chance for symptoms'. It may also be wise to carry your inhaler with you whenever you leave the house, particularly if you're going to the park.
APE veterans keep sharing across social media that bringing a mask or bandana is advisable. 'If you're going to spend time outside in a dry and dusty environment, I'd recommend wearing a mask to protect your lungs from airborne particles, especially if you are at higher risk,' Dr Wyllie says. 'It's also essential to stay hydrated, drinking plenty of water to keep throat linings moist, and to help clear mucus.'
If you're struggling with your breathing, go and see a doctor or go straight to hospital if it's severe.
