Children at most risk from pollution on school run

Children are most exposed to dangerous air pollution on the school run and while they are out in the playground, experts have warned.

Pupils only spend 40 per cent of their time on the school run and at school yet they receive 60 per cent of their exposure to tiny particles of black carbon during those times, a study by Unicef UK and Queen Mary University of London showed.

Exposure to the pollutant, which can penetrate deep in the lungs, bloodstream and potentially the brain, and can stunt lung and brain growth and cause long term breathing conditions, is generally higher at school than when children are at home.

Children in London carried personal monitors which recorded black carbon over a 24-hour period to assess their exposure. they experienced 15 per cent of their daily exposure to black carbon while travelling to school. And while they spent 32 per cent of the day at school, they got 44 per cent of their exposure to the pollution during that time. Unicef is calling on the government to set up set out a Uk-wide strategy on children and air pollution.