Archive · 24 Aug 2026
London Study Shows Traffic Cuts Improve Children’s Lung Health
London created a special zone to reduce pollution from vehicles.
Researchers studied 3,414 children between six and nine years old.
Some children lived in London, while others lived in Luton, about 56 kilometres away.
Before the zone began, London children’s lungs were growing more slowly on average.
After the zone started, pollution from nitrogen dioxide fell.
London children’s lung function then improved faster than that of children in Luton.
Four years later, their lung function was similar.
The researchers said other countries could consider similar clean-air measures to protect children’s lungs.
London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone was associated with improved lung growth in young children.
Roadside nitrogen dioxide levels fell 54% in central London and 27% across the city.
The study tracked lung function in 3,414 children aged six to nine in London and Luton.
After ULEZ began, London children’s lung function improved 10 mL per year faster than Luton children’s.
Researchers said clean-air zones could help reduce risks linked to impaired lung development, including asthma and chronic disease.
- Who
- Researchers studied 3,414 schoolchildren aged six to nine from London and Luton.
- What
- The study found that London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone was associated with lower nitrogen dioxide levels and faster lung-function growth in children.
- When
- The children were studied before and after the Ultra Low Emission Zone was introduced in 2019; the article reports results over four years and describes five years of data.
- Where
- Central London, the wider city of London, and Luton, 56 kilometres away.
- Why
- The zone was introduced to reduce traffic-related emissions, which can impair children’s lung development.
- Study publication
- The Lancet Public Health
- Policy examined
- London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, introduced in 2019
- Children studied
- 3,414 children aged six to nine
- Comparison locations
- London and Luton, 56 kilometres apart
- Nitrogen dioxide reduction
- 54% in central London and 27% across London
- Lung-function improvement
- London children’s lung function increased 10 mL per year faster than Luton children’s after ULEZ began
- Longer-term result
- Four years later, London children’s lung function was reported to be similar to that of children in Luton