ULEZ: Protecting future generations from toxic air

Today, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expands to cover the whole of Greater London, protecting millions of Londoners from toxic air. This milestone follows the tireless work of thousands of campaigners calling for cleaner air. Olivia, in our clean air team explains the impact the expansion will have on our children who are currently breathing in dangerous levels of air pollution. Plus how we’re helping to raise awareness of air quality around London schools. 

Hundreds of schools have dangerous levels of air pollution  

There is no safe level of air pollution - even the lowest concentrations have been shown to impact people's health. 99% of schools in London are in areas that exceed the latest World Health Organization safe limits for air pollution, meaning millions of children are breathing in toxic air.  Road traffic is currently responsible for 40% of London’s air pollution. 

Policies like the ULEZ are crucial to reducing levels of pollution. The newly expanded zone will allow thousands of Londoners living with lung conditions, including children, to breathe more freely. 

Thousands of children with asthma are hospitalised every year  

Children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution. Exposure to toxic air can cause stunted lung growth, increased lung infections, and heightened risks of future respiratory problems.  

In the UK, 1.1 million children live with asthma, equating to around two children in every classroom. Approximately 240,000 children have asthma in London. Air pollution is a known trigger for people living with asthma and thousands of children are hospitalised as the result of asthma attacks every year in London. Brent, for instance, which will now be fully covered by the ULEZ expansion, has the highest rate of asthma hospital admissions for children in the whole of London, 1.7 times above the England average.  

We regularly hear from concerned parents and caregivers about its impact on their loved ones. One parent expressed frustration at seeing his daughter miss out on school activities due to the air pollution she breathes outside, you can read his story here. 

Raising awareness of air pollution near schools  

We have been collaborating with hundreds of schools across London to monitor levels of air pollution, raising awareness, and highlighting how we can all play a part in tackling toxic air. 

We currently have 143 schools across London signed up to our schools monitoring programme, 110 primary and 33 secondary. We’re working hard throughout the year to support schools to put up monitors to record the air quality in their area.  

We’re already received results from 25 schools including levels as high as 54 ug/m3 of toxic nitrogen dioxide in a school in Barnet, a staggering 35% more than the legal limit. We’re planning to expand our work with even more schools across London in the new school year. 

Empowering schools to make a difference  

We want to make sure schools feel empowered to take action and make a difference. As well as encouraging pupils to walk, scoot and cycle to school, and making posters to raise awareness, we also run campaigning workshops with primary schools. to We give them the tools to become the next generation of changemakers, and show them what we can achieve together.

We hope that lots of school children in London will be inspired to use the results of the data they collected and campaign for change in their local area.  

Working together building healthier communities  

Expanding the ULEZ will mean fewer polluting cars on busy roads, making streets healthier and safer for all to use. But we also know and acknowledge that many people living with a lung condition need to use their car to get around and should not be penalised for doing so. We’re fully supportive of the Mayor of London’s decision to make scrappage grants available to all Londoners from August 2023. 

If you’re a parent or carer for a child with asthma, please sign up for our Parent and Carer Support Network, a safe space to talk to others who understand. Alternatively, if you know of a school in London which might be interested in our schools monitoring programme, please click here to find out more information.