London schools to get filters to cut air pollution

"Hundreds of London schools are set to receive new air quality filters in a 2.7m scheme designed to reduce pollution in classrooms and protect children's health. Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said the rollout, covering more than 200 schools across the capital, could cut harmful particulate matter (PM2.5) inside classrooms by up to 68%. Speaking at St Mary's RC Primary School in Battersea, south-west London, one of the first schools to receive the filters, Sir Sadiq said they could have a "life-changing" impact on young people."

""We know we've made massive progress reducing air pollution in London, doing in eight years what experts said would take childhood years," the mayor said. "But we know there are still particulate matter pollution inside our classrooms, which leads to kids having respiratory illnesses, taking time off school and doing less well at school." City Hall said about 70 schools had already received filters, with the rest due to follow "over the course of the next few weeks"."

"St Mary's head teacher, Jared Brading, said the school received its filters just before the summer and fitted one in every classroom. He said the school had already taken several steps to tackle pollution, including putting up a wall of plants to block emissions from nearby traffic, discouraging parents from leaving engines running outside the gates and installing air quality monitors."

Hundreds of London schools will receive air quality filters through a 2.7m scheme to reduce classroom pollution and protect children's health. The rollout covers more than 200 schools and can cut PM2.5 inside classrooms by up to 68%. Deployment will prioritise schools in areas with the highest levels of deprivation and air pollution. Around 70 schools have already received filters, with the remainder due to be installed over the coming weeks. Filter types were tested prior to rollout to determine effectiveness. St Mary's RC Primary School installed a unit in every classroom and added plant barriers, idling discouragement and air monitors.

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