200 London schools need air filters to combat particulate matter and NOx
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced a pilot project to install air filters in 200 of the city's most polluted schools. At first glance, this sounds like a commendable initiative. But why did it have to come this far?
Air quality in London has long been a problem. In 2016, there were 793 schools in the city that suffered from high NO2 levels. Although this number is expected to fall to 50 by 2019, most schools still exceed WHO guidelines for PM2.5, tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause health problems.
Children are particularly affected by the effects of air pollution. According to Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah CBE, a teacher at a London school, breathing toxic air can affect children's cognitive development, heart, lungs and brain and cause diseases such as asthma. Eight to twelve children in London still die from asthma every year.
This begs the question: why are children being exposed to such dangerous substances? And why did it have to come to the point where such filters became necessary?
A comparison with low emission zones makes it clear how inadequate the measures taken so far have been. Low emission zones were introduced in many German cities to reduce air pollution. But here, too, there was criticism. The introduction of low emission zones and driving bans for certain vehicles may reduce air pollution, but they are not a long-term solution.
The situation is similar with air filters in London schools. They are an emergency solution to reduce the health effects of air pollution on children. But they do not tackle the causes of air pollution.
What is needed are comprehensive measures to reduce air pollution. These include stricter emission standards for vehicles, the promotion of public transport and cycling and measures to reduce industrial air pollution.
Installing air filters in schools is a step in the right direction. But this is just a drop in the ocean. If we really want to do something for the health of our children and the environment, we need to tackle the causes of air pollution. And that means more driving bans.