Schools join research into the effect of air pollution on children’s health

A girl from Netley Primary School has her lung capacity measured

The CHILL study (Children’s Health in London & Luton) is funded by the National Institute for Health Research. It will test whether policies to improve air quality, such as London’s new Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), are associated with improved growth of children’s lungs and reduced chest symptoms. Researchers from the University of Bedfordshire and Queen Mary University of London are currently recruiting schools to take part.

Children are especially vulnerable to traffic pollution, with evidence showing stunted growth of children’s lungs in polluted areas worldwide, leaving them at risk of lifelong breathing disorders and earlier death. Pollution also triggers asthma, asthma attacks and chest infections.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan joins Esther Lie from Centre of the Cell to explain to Class 4KW where air pollution is found

Lead researcher Professor Chris Griffiths from Queen Mary's Blizard Institute said: “Air pollution in UK towns and cities is a major health problem, and this study is the first in the world to test the impact of targeted pollution control measures on the long-term lung growth and health of children.

“Low emission zones are being promoted as the best way to tackle traffic pollution and are common across Europe. If ambitious enough they can improve air quality, but we don’t know whether they benefit health. This study will tell us whether this type of low emission zone improves children’s lung growth and development, and whether they should be implemented in towns and cities in the UK and globally.”

Some of the worst air pollution in Europe

Bavaani Nanthabalan, Headteacher at Netley Primary School in the London Borough of Camden which is taking part in the study, said: “Air pollution is a major worry for parents in London. We’re delighted to be helping to answer these important questions about children’s health and development.”

London has some of the worst air pollution in Europe and the upcoming ULEZ is the central component of the city’s air quality strategy. The ULEZ will initially cover London’s central Congestion Charging Zone, where vehicles will need to meet exhaust emission standards or pay a daily charge to travel.

Starting in April 2019, the introduction of the zone provides a unique opportunity for researchers to test how effectively the policy reduces air pollution, improves lung growth and reduces the number of chest infections and asthma attacks. The researchers will also find out if improving air quality encourages children to spend more time exercising outdoors.

The researchers will compare the health of two large groups of primary school children (aged 6–9 years). 1,500 children will come from central London primary schools where the ULEZ will be implemented, and 1,500 children from primary schools in Luton, a large town close to London with a broadly similar population and air quality.

The children will have an annual health check for four years that includes measuring the size and function of their lungs by blowing into a machine called a spirometer. They can also wear an activity monitor. With the family’s permission, the team will also check children’s health records to find out how often they’ve had respiratory infections, visited a GP or A&E, or been admitted to hospital for chest problems.

The team will monitor accurately the air pollution to which each child has been exposed over the four years, including exposures to a range of key pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulates such as PM_2.5 and PM₁₀.

The Outreach team from Centre of the Cell will also be delivering a new interactive workshop ‘Pollution Solution’ especially for the students - exploring the science of air pollution, how it affects our bodies, and what we can do to help.

Helping inform future action to tackle air quality

Professor Frank Kelly from King’s College London said: “London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone is a bold and world-leading initiative with the potential for big impacts on London’s air quality and the health of London’s children. It is important that it’s rigorously evaluated.”

Professor Gurch Randhawa from the University of Bedfordshire said: “We urgently need to know whether our public health policies on air pollution are effective. This timely study enables us to measure accurately their impact on children’s health.”

Professor Martin White, Director of the NIHR Public Health Research Programme said: “NIHR funds research to evaluate major policies that may have an impact on population health.  The London Ultra Low Emissions Zone is just such a policy and this research should help inform future action to tackle poor air quality.”

The CHILL collaboration brings together experts from six globally leading research centres - Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, MRC and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, NIHR Health Protection Unit in the Health Impact of Environmental Hazards, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), Cambridge, and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California.

More information

• Find out about our postgraduate courses in public health at the Blizard Institute.