Lambeth schools air quality programme
Children are particularly at risk from air pollution which can seriously affect their physical health and ability to learn. Yet millions of children are still exposed to dangerously high levels of air pollution; almost all UK schools are in areas that exceed World Health Organization air pollution guidelines.
As part of our goal to tackle air pollution, we set up the Lambeth Schools Air Quality Programme in three primary schools in one of London’s most polluted boroughs. The project, funded by Impact on Urban Health, was led by Global Action Plan in partnership with Arup and the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research.
Practical steps to reduce air pollution
Between September 2020 and September 2021, the project put in place 22 initiatives at schools in Lambeth.
26
windows were replaced at Henry Fawcett Primary School, increasing the ventilation rate by 12.5% and reducing carbon dioxide by up to 40%
59%
reduction in in-class concentrations of particle pollution through the installation of air cleaning devices in classrooms in St Mark's Church of England Primary School
44%
reduction in exposure to particle pollution exposure through the introduction of a 'green screen' of ivy plants in the grounds of St Andrew's Church of England Primary School
36%
reduction in concentrations of particle pollution when these three Lambeth schools celebrated Clean Air Day with temporary road closures
Next steps: schools taking action
Over 700 school children have now benefitted from this work. In order for every school child to benefit from cleaner air, we are sharing peer-reviewed evidence from the project with policy makers and influential bodies such as the Tackling Air Pollution At School (TAPAS) network. We are also promoting the project’s materials and tools, including our Clean Air Schools Framework, across the school system to encourage others to take action.
Children are one of the groups most affected by air pollution, so creating a more rigorous and data backed understanding of how to best protect them and safeguard their health both now and in the future is key.
Professor Prashant Kumar, founding Director of the Global Centre for Clean Air Research, University of Surrey
With thanks to our funders and partners
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