Air pollution stunts growth of children’s lungs putting them at risk of early death, say scientists

Air pollution is stunting the growth of children’s lungs placing them at risk of lung disease, severe asthma attacks and early death, researchers have warned.

Scientists from Queen Mary University of London, King’s College and the University of Edinburgh monitored more than 2,000 children from 28 primary schools in polluted areas of London.

They found a relationship between pollution and lung capacity with children losing 2.5 ml for every one microgram/m3 of Nitrogen Dioxide in the air.

For youngsters living in Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Greenwich and the City of London which all fail to meet current EU annual mean limit of 40 micrograms/m3, their lung capacity had reduced by 100ml, or five per cent.

Professor Chris Griffiths from Queen Mary said: “Despite air quality improvements in London, this study shows that diesel-dominated air pollution in cities is damaging lung development in children, putting them at risk of lung disease in adult life and early death.

“We are raising a generation of children reaching adulthood with stunted lung capacity.

“This reflects a car industry that has deceived the consumer and central government which continues to fail to act decisively to ensure towns and cities cut traffic.”

Although the study was confined to London, previous research has shown that hundreds of thousands of children across Britain are continually exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution, particularly in schools.

Air pollution is linked to 40,000 early deaths each year and youngsters are especially vulnerable to lifelong breathing disorders, asthma attacks, and chest infections because their lungs are still developing.

Dr Samantha Walker, Director of Research and Policy at Asthma UK, said: “If children’s lungs don’t develop properly as a result of air pollution it can increase their likelihood of developing asthma, leaving them coughing, wheezing and at risk of a life-threatening asthma attack.

“The Government needs to tackle toxic air by putting in place a new Clean Air Act to keep everyone, especially children, safe.”

The researchers found the number of children living in areas where pollution exceeded the EU limit had fallen from 99 per cent to 34 per cent since Low Emissions Zones were implemented in London in 2008.

Yet children’s lung capacity did not improve, largely because children are exposed to most pollution in schools, which are often located next to busy roads.

Researchers say clinicians should consider advising parents of children with significant lung disease to avoid living in high pollution areas.

Dr Ian Mudway from King’s College London said: “There is an urgent need to improve our air quality, especially within our congested cities.

“Policies such as the Low Emission Zone strive to do this, but their effectiveness needs careful and objective evaluation, not only in terms of whether they improve air quality, but more importantly, whether they deliver better health.”

London is to introduce an ultra Low Emission Zone next year which will require vehicles to meet strict emissions rules.

Professor Frank Kelly from NIHR Health Impact of Environmental Hazards Health Protection Research Unit said: “These new findings linking air pollution and children’s lung growth provide further support for the introduction of the ultra Low Emission Zone in London early next year.”

The research was published in The Lancet, Public Health.