Mayor of London launches free pollution helpdesk for schools

Article summary

The Mayer of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched a new London Schools Pollution Helpdesk in an effort to clear toxic air pollution at schools that are in ‘worst polluted areas of the capital’. Poor air quality in schools could stunt the growth of children’s lungs and exacerbate chronic illnesses such as asthma, lung and heart disease, but research has found that improving air pollution ‘will increase the average life expectancy of a child born in London in 2013 by six months’. The free service helpdesk will concentrate mainly on state primary and secondary schools in the areas that ‘still exceed legal limits for air pollution’. In partnership with the environment charity, Global Action Plan and Impact on Urban Health, the service aims to deliver air quality audits for cutting pollution such as managing road traffic, implementing green infrastructure such as green screens and reducing engine idling. The helpdesk can be contacted through phone, email, text or online forms...