London's ULEZ linked to improved lung growth in children

A five-year study published in The Lancet Public Health indicates that London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is linked to improved lung health and faster lung growth in children. Researchers tracked more than 3,400 children aged six to nine across 84 primary schools in London and Luton, a comparator site without a clean air zone.

Before the implementation of ULEZ, children in London exhibited significantly lower lung capacity compared to those in Luton. However, as nitrogen dioxide levels fell more rapidly in central London than in Luton, the gap in lung function narrowed. By the end of the study, London children’s lung function growth had caught up to their counterparts in Luton.

The study also noted a decrease in the proportion of children in central London with impaired lung function, dropping from 14 percent to 9 percent. Researchers suggest these findings support the use of clean air zones as effective public health interventions to prevent long-term respiratory damage in urban environments.