Key Points
- According to the Tottenham Independent, air pollution has been linked to around 8,000 children admitted to hospital in Hackney with respiratory problems.
- Nearly 114,000 children in London were admitted to hospitals or taken to A&E with severe breathing difficulties last year, a figure linked to toxic air pollution (BBC).
- Areas such as North Middlesex University Hospital, Hillingdon Hospital, and University Hospital Lewisham had thousands of admissions linked to breathing problems.
- Campaigners and health professionals warn that children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution due to faster breathing rates and proximity to ground-level pollutants.
- The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is committed to reducing air pollution with initiatives like the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and cleaner transport.
- The UK has the highest prevalence of asthma in Europe, with air pollution contributing to approximately 30,000 premature deaths per year.
- The NHS 10 Year Plan highlights the need to tackle air pollution to prevent a worsening health crisis, especially in children.
- Parents are calling for urgent action to reduce diesel vehicles and other pollution sources contributing to respiratory problems in children.
- Local authorities, including Hackney Council, have air quality plans outlining steps to meet WHO guidelines by 2030.
What is the link between air pollution and children’s hospital admissions in Hackney?
As reported by the Tottenham Independent, approximately 8,000 children in Hackney were admitted to hospital with breathing problems linked to air pollution. This aligns with data from London-wide Freedom of Information (FoI) requests revealing nearly 114,000 children were either admitted or treated in emergency departments last year for serious respiratory issues across the capital. The high number of admissions is attributed to pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), known to aggravate and cause respiratory diseases in children.
Dr Katie Knight, a paediatric emergency medicine consultant based in Haringey, told the BBC that many of the children arriving at A&E with breathing difficulties have symptoms worsened by toxic air pollution, emphasising that this is a preventable health crisis.
Why are children particularly vulnerable to air pollution?
Children have higher breathing rates than adults and tend to be closer to the ground, where concentrations of pollutants like NO2 and PM2.5 are highest. These pollutants penetrate developing lungs more deeply, causing conditions such as asthma and chronic respiratory problems. Jemima Hartshorn, founder of the campaign group Mums for Lungs, stated, “Children in London are enduring the consequences of preventable pollution — excessive diesel vehicles and unnecessary residential wood burning are causing our children to become ill, cough, and struggle for breath, resulting in hospital visits”.
How are local hospitals impacted by respiratory admissions linked to air pollution?
Statistical data revealed by the Tottenham Independent and supported by BBC reports show that hospitals serving London boroughs adjacent to Hackney experienced thousands of child admissions for respiratory problems last year. For instance:
- North Middlesex University Hospital recorded 14,587 admissions,
- Hillingdon Hospital had 10,417,
- University Hospital Lewisham had 8,218 admissions,
- Barnet Hospital saw 7,523, and
- Guys’ and St Thomas’ Hospital treating Lambeth and Southwark had 7,505.
This data underlines the widespread impact of air pollution on paediatric health across multiple London boroughs, including Hackney.
What are campaigners and parents saying about the air pollution crisis?
Lucy Facer, a mother and campaigner from Islington, is one of many parents raising awareness about the sharp rise in children treated for respiratory issues. Lucy recounted how her son had multiple A&E visits due to breathing difficulties since the age of 18 months after moving near a busy road, highlighting the impact of poor air quality on day-to-day family life. Likewise, Frances Buckingham, mother of two from Barnet, expressed alarm over the number of children hospitalised and worried about the long-term health consequences of polluted air on her sons.
Councillor Praful Nargund, representing Islington, labelled air pollution a “21st Century crisis” exacerbating health inequalities, especially among children growing up in poverty. The campaign group Islington Clean Air Parents and wider advocacy networks, such as Mums for Lungs, are calling for urgent measures to phase out diesel vehicles and reduce pollution sources that cause these health burdens.
What steps are being taken by local authorities to improve air quality in Hackney?
Hackney Council has declared a borough-wide Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) because of exceedances in nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter levels. Their Air Quality Action Plan 2021-2025 commits to implementing 47 measures aimed at improving air quality and meeting World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines by 2030.
Monitoring stations throughout Hackney provide real-time and monthly data on air pollutants, enabling ongoing assessment and reporting to the public.
How is the Mayor of London addressing the air pollution problem?
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has been highlighted in multiple reports as aggressively pursuing air quality improvements. Initiatives like the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), cleaner buses, taxis, and enhancements to public transport and active travel aim to reduce harmful emissions across the city. Khan pledged to adhere to WHO guidelines for air quality at the earliest opportunity and collaborate with the government to protect public health and reduce inequalities.
Khan also urged Londoners to avoid unnecessary car journeys, stop idling engines, and refrain from burning wood or garden waste during air pollution alerts, such as one recently issued during a heatwave with elevated ozone levels.
What is the public health significance of air pollution in the UK?
Air pollution remains a significant public health crisis in the UK. The Royal College of Physicians estimates that around 30,000 premature deaths annually are related to air pollution exposure. Moreover, the UK has the highest asthma prevalence in Europe, with children particularly affected by pollution-mediated respiratory issues.
Air pollution has been linked not only to respiratory diseases but also to heart conditions, cancer, impacts on foetal development, dementia, and mental health problems, representing a broad health burden.
How urgent is the situation according to the NHS and health experts?
The NHS 10 Year Plan explicitly recognises the urgency to tackle air pollution to prevent worsening health outcomes and a looming health crisis. Dr Katie Knight warned about the continuous stream of children with breathing difficulties arriving at hospitals, emphasising the need for immediate interventions.
Health professionals and campaigners maintain that many of the respiratory problems exacerbated or caused by air pollution are preventable through policy changes, cleaner transport, and stricter air quality standards.
