Paramedics say they have seen a rise in the number of patients with breathing problems, as record levels of air pollution lead to warnings about exercising outdoors.
London Ambulance Service said it had received 14% more 999 calls from people with asthma, lung problems and heart conditions, while West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed it had experienced a noticeable spike in emergency calls.
A poll of asthmatics by the charity Asthma UK also found about a third had suffered an attack as a result of the smog, while 84% had used their blue reliever inhaler more often than usual.
Air quality is expected to improve on Friday and Saturday. Pic: Defra Air pollution has reached record levels in Harrow, northwest London, and Rochester, Kent, with high levels also recorded elsewhere in the country.
Public Health England has advised adults and children with lung problems, as well as adults with heart conditions, to consider reducing strenuous physical exercise, especially outdoors.
The poor air quality is due, in part, to dust from the Saharan desert whipped up by a large storm in north Africa.
Some of the dust has appeared as red speckles on car windscreens and other outdoor surfaces after being deposited by rain.
The smog has shrouded many of Britain's most famous landmarks However, many of the health fears surround particulates - the tiny chemical particles emitted by diesel-powered cars and industry that can be inhaled deep into the lungs.
Combined with other pollutants including nitrogen dioxide and ozone, these can cause breathing difficulties.
Asthma sufferers and patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), a condition which inflames the airways, are particularly vulnerable and may notice their symptoms get worse.
Even those without breathing problems say they have been coughing, wheezing or suffering with sore eyes.
Air pollution reached record levels in parts of London and the South East Doctors at the Acute Medical Unit in Solihull, near Birmingham, told Sky News there had been a "slight increase" in the number of people coming to them with respiratory problems.
They include Jason Irving, who suffered an asthma attack and was receiving treatment at the unit.
He told Sky News: "I travelled into work as normal this morning and as I was walking in, my chest and my throat were tightening and I was struggling for breath.
"I sat down and occupational health at work had to call an ambulance.
Karen Lytton is treated by a doctor at Solihull's Acute Medical Unit "I think it could well be to do with the poor air quality."
Karen Lytton, a COPD patient who was also receiving treatment at the centre, added: "It's like when you hold your breath until you can't hold it any longer and then try to breathe again."
The effects of the smog have been felt beyond London, including in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, where a haze hung over the seafront.
Cyclist Karina Da Silva said she was worried about the impact the pollution could have on her health.
People with respiratory problems have been urged to avoid outdoor exercise "It's odd because I can't see the sea. It's impossible," she said.
"My daughter says her eyes are very itchy and she coughed a little in the morning."
It is not just people whose health is affected by the pollution, with fears contamination may affect penguins at the town's Sea Life Centre.
Christine Pitcher, who helped empty, scrub and refill the animals' enclosure, said: "The penguins have quite delicate air sacs which is how they breathe and any bit of dust or debris on those can make them a little bit sick.
"Obviously we don't want that to happen, especially as we have a couple who are nesting at the moment."
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