Almost 600 schools located poor air quality hotspots

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Almost 600 schools are located in the five areas of the UK found to have the overall worst air quality, where children breathe in pollutants that can cause lung health and neurodevelopment issues.

Over 1.4 million UK children are attending school in areas with illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Children at these 3,300 schools are also exposed to high amounts of particulate matter, ozone and sulphur dioxide (SO2), according to an analysis of the latest Defra data on air pollutants.

The report by experts in air movement and ventilation solutions Airflow revealed that almost 600 schools are located in the five areas with the worst overall air quality in the UK.

These areas exceed government targets for safe levels of five major air pollutants by the largest margins – and are home to over 270,000 school children.

Children spend at least 32.5 hours at school every week and are some of the most vulnerable to the effects of air pollution because they breathe more rapidly than adults and have smaller airways. This can put children at risk of lung health issues and infections.

The report ranks every local authority/borough for each pollutant, creating an average of these rankings to give an overall score for air quality. Comparing pollutant levels against national air quality objectives, the report reveals where unsafe levels can be found.

A recent study showed that cutting air pollution can improve children’s lung development, highlighting the need for local authorities and the government to clean up environments close to schools.

The analysis revealed that Kensington and Chelsea is the area with the worst overall air quality – with NO2 levels 59% higher than the national average and 6% higher than the London average.

Seven of the top 10 worst-affected areas in the UK were in London, with Enfield and Redbridge also in the top three. Barnet came 4th and Leicester ranked 5th, while Cardiff has the worst air quality in Wales.

Alan Siggins, managing director of Airflow Developments Ltd says: “Poor air quality, both indoor and outdoor, poses a real health risk to all people, but especially children. Their lungs absorb more pollutants as they breathe so rapidly and they’re more susceptible to respiratory infections.

“This report shows that schoolchildren in cities face some of the worst air in the country. And while these areas are obliged to have air quality action plans in place, more needs to be done – and quickly.

“This year, councils in England were awarded a share of £10.7 million for projects to improve air quality. It’s really encouraging to see initiatives like this in place, and I’m glad that awareness of the issues is also increasing.”