Nisha Pandey

Researchers Are "Stunned" By How Quickly Children’s Lungs Improved After London Cut Traffic Pollution

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Children living in <span>London</span> showed faster lung growth after the city introduced restrictions on traffic pollution, according to a new study. 

Researchers observed more than 3,400 children aged 6 to 9 in London and <span>Luton</span> for five years, comparing lung development in the two locations. The study was led by researchers from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Oxford and was published in The <span>Lancet Public Health</span>. 

London introduced its <span>Ultra Low Emission Zone</span> (<span>ULEZ</span>) in 2019, initially covering central London. The scheme restricts older, more polluting vehicles by charging drivers whose vehicles do not meet emissions standards. 

<h2>Children In London Initially Had Smaller Lungs </h2>

At the beginning of the study, children living in London had poorer <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/why-non-smokers-too-are-at-high-risk-of-lung-cancer-article-155603613" data-type="tilCustomLink">lung function</a> than those in Luton. Researchers then tracked the development of their lung as pollution levels changed following the introduction of the ULEZ. 

The main measure was FEV1, or forced expiratory volume in one second. It measures how much air a person can forcefully breathe out in one second and is commonly used to assess lung function. 

The London children's FEV1 increased by approximately 10 millilitres more per year than that of children in Luton. 

By the end of the study, the difference in lung function between the two groups had largely disappeared.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/christy-knowings-dies-at-46-after-asthma-attack-when-can-it-turn-fatal-article-155631877" data-type="tilCustomLink">Christy Knowings Dies At 46 After Asthma Attack: When Can It Turn Fatal?</a> 

<h2>Nitrogen Dioxide Exposure Fell More Sharply In London </h2>

The improvement in children’s <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/delhi-sees-nearly-6x-rise-in-h1n1-cases-how-is-it-different-from-other-respiratory-infections-article-155502768" data-type="tilCustomLink">lung development</a> coincided with a greater reduction in exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a pollutant strongly associated with vehicle exhaust, particularly from diesel engines. 

Researchers found that children's exposure to NO₂ fell more than twice as much in London as in Luton during the study period. 

There was also a reduction in the proportion of London children with clinically impaired lung function, from 14% to 9%. In Luton, the proportion fell from 9% to 7%.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/legionnaires-disease-outbreak-investigation-in-toronto-after-6-cases-surface-what-we-know-article-155733790" data-type="tilCustomLink">Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak Investigation In Toronto After 6 Cases Surface: What We Know</a> 

<h2>Researchers Were "Stunned" By How Quickly Children's Lungs Recovered </h2>

Professor Chris Griffiths, senior author of the study, said the speed of the improvement was unexpected. He said, “I was absolutely stunned when I first saw the results.” 

He said the “speed of catch up in lung capacity” among London children was particularly striking and suggested that ambitious clean-air measures could help reverse some pollution-related effects on <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/lung-health-after-40-natural-changes-warning-signs-and-ways-to-protect-your-lungs-article-155385926" data-type="tilCustomLink">children's lungs</a>. 

Lead author Dr Helen Wood, a research fellow at Queen Mary University of London, said, "We already knew that the ULEZ reduced air pollution but now we know that children’s lung health has improved at the same time, which is a really important finding for children and parents living in London." 

<h2>Damage To Lungs At Early Stage May Lead To Irreversible Damage </h2>

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Children are particularly vulnerable to <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/air-pollution-may-increase-the-risk-of-painful-rheumatoid-arthritis-flares-study-finds-article-155322612" data-type="tilCustomLink">air pollution</a> because their lungs and respiratory systems are still developing. Long-term exposure to traffic-related pollutants has previously been associated with reduced lung growth. 

If children fail to reach their expected lung capacity during development, it may potentially increase their vulnerability to <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/young-cannabis-users-are-landing-in-ers-with-severe-vomiting-cdc-study-finds-article-155491126" data-type="tilCustomLink">respiratory problems</a> like asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), which includes conditions such as <span>emphysema</span> and chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, as well as early death. 

Reducing exposure to pollution while lungs are still developing could help with growth. The researchers credit improved air quality, associating it with the introduction of ULEZ and better lung development. However, the study cannot prove that ULEZ alone caused improvement. 

Other factors may have changed during the five-year period, including travel habits, physical activity, and pollution levels unrelated to the emissions zone. The COVID-19 pandemic also dramatically changed traffic and pollution patterns during part of the study period.

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Researchers Are 'Stunned' By How Quickly Children’s Lungs Improved After London Cut Traffic Pollution

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Children living in London showed faster lung growth after the city introduced restrictions on traffic pollution, according to a new study. Researchers observed more than 3,400 children aged 6 to 9 in London and Luton for five years, comparing lung development in the two locations. The study was led by researchers from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Oxford and was published in The Lancet Public Health. London introduced its Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in 2019, initially covering central London. The scheme restricts older, more polluting vehicles by charging drivers whose vehicles do not meet emissions standards. Children In London Initially Had Smaller Lungs At the beginning of the study, children living in London had poorer lung function than those in Luton. Researchers then tracked the development of their lung as pollution levels changed following the introduction of the ULEZ. The main measure was FEV1, or forced expiratory volume in one second. It measures how much air a person can forcefully breathe out in one second and is commonly used to assess lung function. The London children's FEV1 increased by approximately 10 millilitres more per year than that of children in Luton. By the end of the study, the difference in lung function between the two groups had largely disappeared.Also read: Christy Knowings Dies At 46 After Asthma Attack: When Can It Turn Fatal? Nitrogen Dioxide Exposure Fell More Sharply In London The improvement in children’s lung development coincided with a greater reduction in exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a pollutant strongly associated with vehicle exhaust, particularly from diesel engines. Researchers found that children's exposure to NO₂ fell more than twice as much in London as in Luton during the study period. There was also a reduction in the proportion of London children with clinically impaired lung function, from 14% to 9%. In Luton, the proportion fell from 9% to 7%.Also read: Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak Investigation In Toronto After 6 Cases Surface: What We Know Researchers Were "Stunned" By How Quickly Children's Lungs Recovered Professor Chris Griffiths, senior author of the study, said the speed of the improvement was unexpected. He said, “I was absolutely stunned when I first saw the results.” He said the “speed of catch up in lung capacity” among London children was particularly striking and suggested that ambitious clean-air measures could help reverse some pollution-related effects on children's lungs. Lead author Dr Helen Wood, a research fellow at Queen Mary University of London, said, "We already knew that the ULEZ reduced air pollution but now we know that children’s lung health has improved at the same time, which is a really important finding for children and parents living in London." Damage To Lungs At Early Stage May Lead To Irreversible Damage             Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution because their lungs and respiratory systems are still developing. Long-term exposure to traffic-related pollutants has previously been associated with reduced lung growth. If children fail to reach their expected lung capacity during development, it may potentially increase their vulnerability to respiratory problems like asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), which includes conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, as well as early death. Reducing exposure to pollution while lungs are still developing could help with growth. The researchers credit improved air quality, associating it with the introduction of ULEZ and better lung development. However, the study cannot prove that ULEZ alone caused improvement. Other factors may have changed during the five-year period, including travel habits, physical activity, and pollution levels unrelated to the emissions zone. The COVID-19 pandemic also dramatically changed traffic and pollution patterns during part of the study period.

researchers are "stunned" by how quickly children’s lungs improved after london cut traffic pollution

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Researchers Are 'Stunned' By How Quickly Children’s Lungs Improved After London Cut Traffic Pollution

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