The most polluted schools in London are to be audited as part of the mayor’s drive to clean up toxic air across the capital.

Earlier this year a Guardian investigation revealed that hundreds of thousands of children are being exposed to illegal levels of damaging air pollution from diesel vehicles at schools and nurseries.

Sadiq Khan said on Wednesday that air pollution was “the biggest public health emergency of a generation”. He announced the first 50 schools to undergo a pollution audit, and said the results would be followed by “hard-hitting measures” to minimise the damage being done to children.

“It is shameful that children across London are breathing in toxic air simply by going to and from school and I am determined to do everything in my power to safeguard their health.

“These air quality audits are a big step towards helping some of the most polluted schools in London identify effective solutions to protect pupils from toxic fumes but, of course, this is only part of the solution.”

The audits will be completed by the end of the year and recommendations may include:

moving school entrances away from busy roads

green infrastructure such as ‘barrier bushes’ along busy roads and in playgrounds to help to filter toxic fumes

‘no engine idling’ schemes to reduce harmful emissions during the school run

minimising emissions from boilers, kitchens and other sources

changes to local road systems and restrictions on the most polluting vehicles round schools

The Guardian’s investigation used the government’s own pollution modelling from 2015 to identify the scale of the problem. It found that pollution from diesel traffic was not limited to large metropolitan centres but threatened the health of children and young people in towns and cities across England and Wales.

Khan said today’s move was part of a package of measures his administration was pursuing.



“Next month, I will be launching my T-charge to rid central London of the oldest, most polluting vehicles and before the end of the year I will be announcing a decision on my plans to bring forward and extend the Ultra-Low Emission Zone along some of our busiest roads.”



He claimed he was “making great strides in London” but said ministers must do more. “The government must match my ambition in tackling the biggest public health emergency of a generation.”

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green party, said: “While it’s great to see Sadiq Khan taking action on air pollution, his plans are narrow minded in the face of the scale of the crisis. Children don’t only breathe our dirty air at school.

“The mayor’s plan to expand the low emission zone and reduce emissions near schools are welcome. But if he is serious about cleaning up London’s air he must ban dirty diesel vehicles from the capital. We also desperately need to see proper investment in safe and accessible walking and cycling routes so people are able to leave their cars at home.”



