POLLUTION WARNING FOR NINE CARDIFF SCHOOLS
NINE primary and secondary schools in Cardiff are situated near roads with harmful levels of air pollution, a new study has found.
Research commissioned by environmental law charity Client Earth shows several schools in Cardiff are located within 150 metres of roads with potentially harmful concentrations of nitrogen dioxide.
The charity described the findings, which are based on national data, as a “failing of our political leaders that puts children’s health at risk”.
Ysgol Mynydd Bychan, St Joseph’s RC Primary, Stacey Primary, Tredegarville CIW Primary, Cardiff Academy, Mount Stuart Primary, St Peter’s RC Primary, Cathays High School and St Teilo’s CIW High School are all situated within 150 metres of roads which were found to exceed the maximum legal concentration.
Client Earth air quality lawyer Alan Andrews said: “Children in Cardiff are playing in playgrounds near illegally-polluted roads.
“This is a legal and moral failing of our political leaders that puts children’s health at risk at a time when they are still growing and therefore vulnerable.
“Naturally, parents want something to be done. So do we.”
Nitrogen dioxide is an irritant gas which in high concentrations can cause inflammation of the airways.
It occurs as a waste product of fuel combustion, meaning areas near congested roads or industrial areas can be badly affected.
The EU’s Ambient Air Quality Directive, which came into effect in 2010, set the limit for annual average nitrogen dioxide concentration at 40µg/m³.
St Teilo’s CIW High School in Llanedeyrn is 104 metres from the A48, where the concentration of nitrogen dioxide was found to be 59.6µg/m³.
Mount Stuart Primary in Cardiff Bay was found to be 58 metres from a road with a nitrogen dioxide concentration of 43.1µg/m³.
Annual average concentrations near Ysgol Mynudd Bychan, St Joseph’s RC Primary, Stacey Primary, Tredegarville CIW Primary, Cardiff Academy and St Peter’s RC Primary were all within 1µg/m³ more than the maximum.
Client Earth says it has written to headteacher’s groups, including the National Association of Headteachers, urging greater awareness and advising on measures which could be implemented to reduce child exposure to pollution.
The charity is also calling for a national network of clean air zones, which would keep the dirtiest vehicles away from polluted areas.
Cardiff council cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, councillor Caro Wild, said he is concerned about the level of pollution in the city and committed to tackling congestion to improve air quality.
“As stated in the council’s Capital Ambition, we will be bringing forward a green paper on sustainable travel and congestion,” Coun Wild said.
“We are currently working on plans for multiple car-free events and our new cycling strategy will revolutionise cycling in Cardiff.
“Our transport strategy focuses on encouraging residents to choose sustainable transport options such as walking, cycling and public transport instead of using their cars.
“A Clean Air Strategy and Action Plan are being developed to directly address the level of emissions in the city and improve air quality and public health.”