Cleaner London air linked with improved lung growth in children

Cleaner London air linked with children’s lung growth catching up after ULEZ

A five-year study of more than 3,400 children found lung growth in London improved alongside sharp falls in traffic-related air pollution.

Children walking in London, where researchers studied air pollution and lung growth Image: Imperial College London / ShutterstockOriginal source

Need something explained?Tap a highlighted word, phrase or concept, or select any part of the article and choose Explain this.

Children’s lung growth in London improved markedly as traffic-related air pollution fell following the introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone, according to a five-year involving more than 3,400 pupils.

tracked children aged six to nine from 84 primary schools in London and Luton. London children began the study with significantly smaller lungs, but by the end their lung function had caught up with the comparison group.

Exposure to nitrogen dioxide fell more than twice as much in London, while the of children with clinically impaired lung function dropped from 14 per cent to 9 per cent. Researchers say the findings provide strong that damage to developing lungs can be reduced when urban air gets cleaner.