Overview
- The NIHR‑funded study led by Queen Mary University tracked about 3,400 children aged 6–9 in 84 primary schools in London and Luton from 2018 to 2022 and was published Tuesday.
- Researchers found London children’s forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) rose about 10ml per year more than in Luton and that clinically impaired lung function in London fell from 14% to 9% over the study period.
- The team reported that children’s exposure to the traffic pollutant nitrogen dioxide fell twice as fast in London within five years of ULEZ’s 2019 introduction and that the lung gains were strongly linked to those air quality improvements.
- Campaigners and bereaved families hailed the results and the Mayor of London used the evidence to defend ULEZ expansions, while critics continue to raise concerns about the daily charge’s costs for drivers, low‑income households and small businesses in outer boroughs.
- Clinicians say better lung growth in childhood reduces long‑term risks of asthma, heart disease and other conditions, a point that could drive calls for more clean air zones and sharper national policy on traffic emissions.