This study is important because it addresses multiple, interconnected health issues that children face today. We know that [car and van] use negatively impacts children's health by reducing opportunities for physical activity and increasing exposure to air pollution, which can contribute to conditions like childhood asthma.
The ULEZ was introduced in an effort to reduce traffic-related air pollution, which is known to affect neurodevelopment, cognitive ability, and lung function in children. The authors said that further monitoring is needed, but it is evidence for other cities of the potential impact of clean air zones.
The researchers surveyed 1,000 children across 44 schools in central London about how they travelled to school in 2018-19, prior to the ULEZ's introduction, and then again in 2019-2020 after it was introduced.
The results showed that four in 10 children in central London, who previously travelled to school by car, then switched to walking, cycling, or public transport following the ULEZ's introduction.
Collection
[
|
...
]