Pollution study: Tens of thousands of children breathing in toxic air
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling suggests drivers should consider buying low-emission cars rather than opting for diesel.
Saturday 25 February 2017 09:05, UK
Tens of thousands of children in a quarter of London schools are being exposed to illegal levels of air pollution that can cause lifelong health problems, a study has found.
The research shows that 802 of the capital's 3,261 nurseries, primaries, secondary schools and colleges in 2013 were within 150 metres of nitrogen dioxide levels that breach EU legal limits.
The number of schools affected nearly doubled from 2010 when it was 433.
London is not alone in facing an air pollution crisis - Birmingham, Derby, Leeds, Nottingham and Southampton are also badly affected, experts say.
London mayor Sadiq Khan, who commissioned the report, vowed to tackle the pollution, which is linked to respiratory problems such as asthma, as well as heart and lung diseases.
He said: "It is an outrage that more than 800 schools, nurseries and other educational facilities in the capital are in areas breaching legal air pollution limits.
"We know air pollution is permanently affecting children's lung development - resulting in smaller lungs for life.
"I refuse to stand by when our children are being exposed to dangerously polluted air, putting them at greater risk of serious health conditions when we know it's within our power to tackle the problem."
Among the measures he plans to introduce are air quality audits to help schools identify ways to protect their children from "filthy air", much of which is come from traffic fumes.
Mr Khan has already announced the introduction of a £10 "toxicity charge" for drivers of some of the oldest and most polluting cars in central London from October.
He also suggested that he could go further by banning certain cars from the streets, warning "nothing is off the table".
Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has suggested drivers should consider buying a low-emission vehicle rather than spending their money on a diesel.
Traffic is a major contributor to air pollution and there is growing concern about emissions from diesel vehicles
Mr Grayling's intervention follows reports the Government is considering a scrappage scheme for diesel cars to improve air quality.
The reported scheme would see drivers offered a cash incentive for replacing an old diesel car with a low-emission vehicle.