Proof car fumes shorten the lives of cities’ children

CHILDREN exposed to air pollution are at risk of lifelong breathing disorders because of poor lung capacity, a study has found.

Measures including traffic low emission zones have been introduced to control pollution. But there is little evidence to suggest that public health has improved as a result.

The car industry was also accused of “deceiving” the consumer and the Government has been blamed for failing to act decisively to reduce traffic in towns and cities.

Researchers studied 2,000 children aged eight and nine in four London areas which fail EU nitrogen dioxide limits, and found a five per cent reduction in lung capacity.

Air pollution is a leading cause of deaths globally, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimating more than four million deaths annually are caused by outdoor air pollution.

Children are especially vulnerable and at risk of lifelong breathing disorders, asthma attacks, chest infections and premature death.

Doctors should consider advising parents of children with significant lung disease to avoid living in high pollution areas, the study found. Professor Chris Griffiths, of London’s Queen Mary University, said: “Despite air quality improvements in London, this study shows that dieseldominated 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.”

Dr Samantha Walker, at Asthma UK, added: “It is disappointing that the Low Emission Zone in London has not helped to improve children’s lung capacity.

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

The study, published in The Lancet Public Health, was led by Queen Mary University of London, King’s College London and University of Edinburgh.