Local councils are failing to monitor pollution levels at most UK schools, according to freedom of information requests submitted by the British Lung Foundation (BLF). The government has been criticised for not doing enough about air pollution, with a report from the Royal College of Physicians finding that children in London have twice as much exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.@@ In areas identified by the World Health Organisation as suffering harmful levels of particulate pollution often only one or two schools were monitored. The BLF called for stronger guidelines for local authorities. Research has indicated that exposure to pollution when young can cause permanent damage to lung capacity.
Local councils are failing to monitor pollution levels at most UK schools, according to freedom of information requests submitted by the British Lung Foundation (BLF). Of the 322 councils that replied, out of a total of 433 councils, just 140 followed government advice to place monitors within 10 metres of schools. In areas identified by the World Health Organisation as suffering harmful levels of particulate pollution often only one or two schools were monitored. The BLF called for stronger guidelines for local authorities. Research has indicated that exposure to pollution when young can cause permanent damage to lung capacity.