The Leader podcast: ‘Air quality shouldn’t be political, it’s a health issue’

Research from Imperial College London suggests ‘air pollution is damaging at all stages of life’.

Commissioned by the Greater London Authority, the findings look at evidence from more than 35,000 studies over ten years.

It shows exposure to certain particles could lead to miscarriages, cause low sperm count and stunt children's lung growth. As well as cause chronic illnesses, cancer and strokes in adults.

The research is published as former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, publicly criticised the planned expansion of Ulez by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, saying ‘it has nothing to do with air pollution’.

The Ulez expansion, which is scheduled to come in on 29th August, continues to divide opinion.

Mr Khan is facing a High Court challenge over the plans after a judge accepted a request from five Conservative councils for a judicial review.

Frank Kelly, professor of community health and policy at Imperial College London, explains the significance of this study and why there should be “nothing political when it comes to air quality”.

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