Scientists ‘stunned’ by children’s lung recovery in ultra low emission zone
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1l1r1zne1ro#
Scientists say they have been “stunned” by how quickly young children’s lungs began to recover and grow after pollution restrictions were brought in where they lived.
Researchers found that children in London whose lung growth had been stunted by pollution showed impressive improvements after the introduction of an Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) in 2019 reduced emissions.
The study followed more than 3,400 primary school children in London and Luton and provides what scientists believe is the strongest evidence yet that local clean air zones could help reduce some of the harm caused by pollution during childhood.
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“I was absolutely stunned when I first saw the results,” Prof Chris Griffiths, a senior author on the study, at Queen Mary University of London, told the BBC.
“The speed of catch up in lung capacity in the London group was surprising and impressive.
“This shows an ambitious clean air zone can drive pollution levels down, rapidly restoring children’s stunted lung growth.”
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