A recent study highlights the concerning levels of air pollution at new school sites in England, posing health risks to thousands of children.
Andrew Gregory reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Nearly 90% of new school locations exceed World Health Organization air quality guidelines, impacting children's health due to their developing bodies and immune systems.
- The research, conducted by Evelina London children’s hospital and King’s College London, advocates for mandatory air quality assessments during the planning stages of new schools.
- High pollution levels were notably present in major cities, with the worst readings in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds.
Key quote:
"We hope this study can influence school proposers, designers and national policy. Children deserve protection from avoidable harm while at school."
— Researchers from Evelina London children’s hospital and King’s College London
Why this matters:
Critics argue for the integration of environmental health considerations into educational infrastructure planning. They call for immediate action, advocating for stricter air quality standards, the implementation of green buffers like trees and parks around schools, and the promotion of sustainable transportation options to reduce vehicular emissions near educational sites.
Children exposed to high amounts of air pollution were more likely to end up in the emergency room for a mental health problem a couple days later than children with lower exposure, according to a 2019 study.
