Ulez led to better lung size and function among London children, study finds
A study of London schoolchildren shows that the city's Ultra-Low Emission Zone (Ulez) has helped restore lung capacity previously stunted by traffic pollution. Researchers suggest these findings provide strong evidence for the health benefits of clean-air zones in urban environments.
Why it matters
It provides empirical evidence for the efficacy of environmental policies in improving public health outcomes in major cities.
Londoners’ health was explicitly cited by the city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, to justify the introduction of the Ulez in 2019. Londoners’ health was explicitly cited by the city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, to justify the introduction of the Ulez in 2019. Low emission zones Ulez led to better lung size and function among London children, study finds Researchers find capacity stunted by pollution was restored after introduction of ultra-low emission zone
Prefer the Guardian on Google Children’s lungs grew bigger and stronger after the most polluting vehicles were restricted from entering London, a study has found.
Examinations of London schoolchildren before and after the introduction of the city’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) found a restoration of lung capacity that had been stunted by exposure to pollution.
The researchers said the findings were a vindication of the low-emission zone policy, which had been criticised as a burden on motorists.
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