ULEZ linked to improved lung growth in children
Study finds London's Ultra Low Emission Zone is linked to improved lung growth in children, with lung size recovering to match that of children outside the capital after five years.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A new study suggests that London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) may have improved the lung health of children. Researchers monitored more than 3,000 primary school pupils before the scheme was introduced in 2019, and found that children in London had smaller lungs than those in Luton, Bedfordshire. After five years of ULEZ, children in London showed significant improvements: fewer had impaired or damaged lung function, and their lung size had increased to match that of children living outside the capital.
ULEZ charges drivers of older, high-polluting vehicles £12.50 a day to enter London, on top of the separate congestion charge. The scheme has been controversial, with some calling it a money-making measure. But the study's scientists said the results show it has, as intended, improved children's health.
However, researchers stressed that it is impossible to say ULEZ restrictions are the only reason for the improvement. Other factors, from changing behaviour to the impact of COVID when there were far fewer cars on the road, could also have played a part.
The case of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, a nine-year-old who died after an asthma attack in 2013 and was the first person to have air pollution listed on her death certificate, was raised in the coverage. Her mother said the evidence shows more clean air zones should be created across the country: “Children everywhere in the country deserve to have ULEZ. This isn't just a London thing, but we can look at what's happened in London and we can model it elsewhere.”
Air pollution in parts of the UK is still well above recommended levels. The findings are not conclusive, but they suggest it may be possible not just to improve but to restore the lung health of children living in busy cities.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC News | BBC One |
|---|---|---|---|
| A study linked the ULEZ scheme to improved lung growth in children, noting that London children's lung size recovered five years after the scheme, having previously been smaller than children in Luton. | |||
| Findings are not conclusive; other factors such as changing behaviour or the impact of COVID-19 could be partly responsible. | · | ||
| The mother of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, whose death was linked to air pollution, called for more clean air zones across the country. | · | ||
| The study monitored between 400 and 3,400 children. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Gave a brief summary of the study, stating the headline finding that ULEZ is linked to improved lung growth. It did not include scientist interviews, the controversy over ULEZ, or the case of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah. The tone was neutral and straightforward.
- “The ultra-low emission zone in London, also known as ULEZ, has been linked to improved lung growth in children.”
- “But five years on, data shows London children's lung size had recovered.”
Presented the full report by Jim Reid, including the study's findings, the controversy around ULEZ, and the broader context of other clean air zones. The report highlighted the caveat that other factors could be responsible and included the emotional case of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah and her mother's call for clean air zones nationwide.
- “Suggest the schemes led to significant improvements in the health of children's lungs”
- “But at the moment it's impossible to say those ULEZ restrictions are the only reason for the improvements in lung health”
- “Today's findings are not conclusive but they do suggest it may be possible to not just improve but restore the lung health of children living in our busy cities”
Offered the same Jim Reid report as BBC ONE West, but in the context of the signed news bulletin. It noted the exact number of monitored children (3,400) and the same scientific caveats and the call for more clean air zones. The tone was neutral and balanced.
- “researchers monitoring 3,400 youngsters before the ULEZ was introduced in 2019 found their lungs were smaller than those of children living in nearby Luton”
- “suggests the schemes led to significant improvements in the health of children's lungs”
- “After London's ULEZ zone was introduced fewer children had impaired or damaged lung function and the size of their lungs had also increased to match other pupils living outside the capital”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.