Around 150,000 people are expected to descend on Victoria Park this weekend for the annual All Points East festival, and concerns are growing online over the state of the site after London experienced its worst drought on record this summer.
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.
Dust and health warnings
“No one will be able to breathe,” @adoreyoudrada wrote, while @Mel suggested “should we all just wear PPE at this point?”
Jim King, 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.
The team has also brought in extra ground protection, including plastic coverings in high-footfall areas in the park.
Health risks from dust exposure
Dr Crystal Wyllie 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 said.
Those with sensitive airways are especially vulnerable. “If you have asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), you’re highly vulnerable as dust exposure can spark severe asthma attacks and wheezing,” Dr Wyllie, for Asda Online Doctor, added. “Dry, windy conditions coupled with large crowds moving across bare ground can increase the amount of dust in the air.”
Should you bring a mask?
The main piece of advice APE veterans keep sharing across social media is to bring a mask or bandana. “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 said.
“It’s also essential to stay hydrated, drinking plenty of water to keep throat linings moist, and to help clear mucus,” the doctor added. If you are struggling with your breathing, see a doctor or go straight to hospital if it’s severe.
