London ULEZ implementation linked to improved child lung health

A study published in The Lancet Public Health provides evidence that London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has positively impacted the lung development of children. Researchers from the CHILL (Children’s Health in London and Luton) project tracked over 3,400 children aged 6 to 9 across 84 primary schools between 2018 and 2022.

By comparing London to Luton—a similar city without emission restrictions—the study found that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in London fell more than twice as fast as in Luton. Consequently, the proportion of children with impaired lung function in London dropped from 14% to 9%, while the control group in Luton saw a smaller decrease from 9% to 7%.

The findings suggest that limiting highly polluting vehicles allows children’s lungs to recover lost growth. The research was coordinated by Queen Mary University of London, with contributions from Imperial College and several other academic institutions.