Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Where baby’s first breaths are toxic
250k a year born in dirty air hotspots Exposure raises the risk of asthma
A QUARTER of a million UK babies a year are born in toxic air hotspots that can harm their lungs, data released before the vital UN climate conference shows.
The dangerously filthy air puts them at risk of developing serious health conditions such as asthma, experts say.
Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation say the figures reveal the “national shame of children’s health blighted from birth by air pollution”.
Sarah Woolnough, who is chief exec of both charities, said: “How can it be acceptable that the first breath a baby takes could be so dirty it could seriously affect their long-term health?
“The Government must blaze a trail, not just at COP26 but beyond, to bring in bold new clean air laws and set ambitious targets to clean up the air by
2030.” In 2019, over 250,000 babies were born in areas where toxic “particulate matter 2.5” or PM 2.5, exceeded 2005 World Health Organization guidance.
That figure could hit 600,000 next year after the WHO advice on safe limits was toughened up.
The study also found nearly a third (29%) of hospitals in England are in polluted areas, including 71 maternity units where around 183,979 babies arrive each year.
East London borough Newham has the worst levels of pollution followed by nearby City of London and Waltham Forest.
Birmingham, which has the highest birth rate in the country, is the second most polluted city after the capital. But it isn’t just large cities – leafy St Albans,
Herts, and Windsor and
Eton, in Berks, also have dangerously dirty air, with more than 1,500 babies being exposed a year in each. Children are vulnerable to toxic air because their lungs are still developing and they breathe faster than adults.
Previous research from Asthma UK found an estimated half-a-million kids with the condition find their symptoms such as wheezing and gasping for breath are triggered by pollution.
The dirty air can even damage the lungs and brains of babies while they are still in the womb, while pregnant women who breathe toxic air are more likely to give birth to premature babies and those with a low birth-weight.
It causes around 36,000 premature deaths in the UK every year, according to Asthma UK.
Those with underlying conditions, such as lung or heart problems are in greatest danger, while smoking, poor housing, and poverty increase the risk.
Man-made particulate matter comes largely from industry, construction, diesel and petrol engines and minute debris from brakes and tyres. Ms Woolnough said the damage could be halted if politicians act.
“If people are encouraged to swap their car for cleaner transport and the Government invests in more cycle routes, bus routes and councils expand clean air zones, there is hope we can tackle pollution and enjoy cleaner air.”