Asthma + Lung UK is calling on the government to set bold new targets to protect future generations.
The charity were at Ardwick Green Park in the city to highlight the invisible threat to children’s lungs, as new data shows there are over 43,000 playgrounds in Britain and 99% exceed World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits on air pollution
Manchester is the air pollution capital of the UK with levels of toxic air more than five times higher than WHO limits for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2,) one of the most harmful pollutants
There are over 54,000 children in Greater Manchester living with asthma and there were 1,215 child admissions to A&E last year .
Toxic air takes a heavy toll on the youngest in our society – it stunts the growth of their lungs which can damage their health for the rest of their lives. Children are more vulnerable because their airways are smaller and still developing. They also breathe more rapidly than adults, meaning they take in more polluted air [5]. Air pollution is increasingly linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and dementia: contributing to, at least, 1,200 premature deaths in Greater Manchester annually [6].
ONS stats show that 1 in 8 UK households does not have its own garden, and the vast majority of British children live in built-up urban areas [7], so they require access to public playgrounds and outdoor spaces for exercise and recreation. The charity says with so many children reliant on these spaces to play, the government must do more to protect developing lungs from the threat of toxic air.
Sophie Hafford, 29, from Tameside, is a mother to Harry, 6, Amelia-Rose, 5, Daisie-Rae, 3, and William, 2. She believes the high level of air pollution in Greater Manchester is damaging her children’s health.
Sophie said: “My daughter Amelia-Rose has been in and out of hospital with breathing difficulties all her life, and she was recently diagnosed with severe asthma. Her younger brother William also has respiratory problems, and although he’s too young for a diagnosis, it’s very likely that he has asthma too.”
“In March, both he and Amelia-Rose were in hospital at the same time, and I’m convinced that breathing in dirty air is making them both a lot worse. I am also concerned about what it is doing to my other children as well.
“Air pollution is very much on my radar, and I feel genuinely shocked that levels are so high in public playgrounds where children should feel safe to run around and play. That is terrible.
“Politicians really need to tackle this issue urgently as our children’s health is on the line. It would help if there was more investment in public transport but much more than that needs to be done.
“My life is here and so is my family, so I really can’t move, but watching your child struggling to breathe is the worst feeling in the world and I want better from them than this.”
Recent polling carried out by YouGov for the charity revealed that 80% of UK adults surveyed think air pollution has a negative impact on children’s lungs. However when asking parents how worried they were about the levels of air pollution around their local playgrounds, 56% admitted they aren’t concerned [8].
The day of action by Asthma + Lung UK will see ‘Toxic Air Officers’ stationed at some of the most polluted playgrounds and open spaces in the UK. Ardwick Green Park in the city has been chosen because of its central location and is wedged between two busy, polluted main roads. Alongside Ardwick Green, Moonlit Park in Birmingham and various London playgrounds will also host the activation during peak footfall and usage times, to warn visitors of the health risks associated with poor air quality.
The charity is asking people to show support for their campaign calling on the government to get behind bold clean air legislation, underpinned by world-leading health targets to safeguard public health and deliver clean air as soon as possible. Asthma + Lung UK wants the government to publish new plans to protect people from air pollution, improve public information on the issue, set out findings and guidance for traffic reduction measures in key areas (around care homes, schools and hospitals) and commit to inclusive walking and cycling policies. Add your voice here.
Sarah Sleet, CEO of Asthma + Lung UK, said: “Clean air is not child’s play – the bold action we’re taking today across playgrounds in some of the most polluted parts of the UK is about raising awareness of the everyday exposure to air pollution and its impact on children’s developing lungs. By taking a stand at a local playground in Manchester in this way we hope to raise awareness of children’s everyday exposure to the highest levels of toxic air recorded in the UK for nitrogen dioxide.
“Sadly, it is children who are affected the most by poor air quality, with the damage starting even when they are in the womb. From diabetes to dementia, the list of health impacts associated with our everyday exposure to air pollution grows ever longer. The UK has the worst records for deaths from lung disease in Europe, and it’s no coincidence that we also have one of the highest rates of childhood asthma here too.
“No government would allow people to drink dirty water, so why should the air we breathe be any different? The government needs to introduce bold targets to address this issue that has life-long impacts on the health of so many millions of children.”
Jemima Hartshorn, Founder and Director Mums for Lungs, Mum of two, said: “Really it is heartbreaking for children and parents alike – you want to do the right thing and take your kids out to play but depending on the playgrounds location, the air they breathe might be so polluted it will actually harm them!
“The real issue is that the toxic air is making us ill – from conception until we die, we are all impacted by pollution primarily from diesel vehicles, wood burning, agriculture and industry. Severe illnesses such as asthma and cardiac issues are exacerbated and caused by the pollution. On behalf of children and parents wanting to breathe safely we call on the Government to clean up our air!”
