Ulez led to better lung size and function among London children, study finds
Researchers find capacity stunted by pollution was restored after introduction of ultra-low emission zone Children’s lungs grew bigger and stronger after the most polluting vehicles were restricted from entering London, a study has found. Examinations of London schoolchildren before and after the introduction of the city’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) found a restoration of lung capacity that…
Research indicates that London's ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) has led to improved lung size and function among young children. Before Ulez was implemented, children aged six to nine in London had significantly smaller lungs compared to children in a similar town, Luton, due to exposure to pollution from traffic. However, after Ulez was introduced, the lung capacity of London children improved, catching up to that of their peers in Luton.
This improvement was directly linked to the reduction in nitrogen dioxide exposure, which fell twice as fast and twice as much in London compared to Luton. The study, published in the Lancet Public Health journal, supports the idea that ambitious clean-air zones can prevent health harms caused by traffic pollution and should be a priority for cities worldwide with air pollution issues.
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