Millions of children across the UK are being exposed to deadly levels of air pollution, with those living in London, Manchester and Birmingham among some of the worst affected.
That is according to new analysis by Unicef UK, which reveals that one-third of children now live in areas with unsafe levels of air pollution, including 1.6 million under-fives and 270,000 babies.
The crisis is leaving a total of 4.5 million children at risk of developing long-term health conditions like asthma, along with brain developmental issues and cardiovascular disease.
“We already know that air pollution is harmful, but these findings force us to face a shocking reality about the acute impact on children’s health” Unicef UK director of advocacy, Amy Gibbs, said.
“It’s unacceptable that the most vulnerable members of society, who contribute the least to air pollution, are the ones suffering most from its effects.”
Poor air quality is estimated to contribute to more than 40,000 premature deaths across the country each year, with car and van emissions responsible for £6bn in annual health and societal costs.
The Unicef UK analysis comes on Clean Air Day, and is based on the exposure of children and babies to particulate matter (PM2.5), which are smaller than the width of a human hair.
Of the 20 local authorities in the UK with the largest proportion of babies living in them, it was found that almost three-quarters breach safe levels for particulate matter.
This comes after the UK government was referred to the European Court of Justice last month for breaching agreed air quality limits and failing to make improvements as quickly as possible.
“The government must accept this is a children’s health crisis and offer targeted action and funding to reduce their exposure in the most polluted areas,” Gibbs continued
“There are practical solutions to protect our children from the harm air pollution can cause - children should not be forced to breathe toxic air in the areas where they live, learn and play.”
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