AIR pollution could shorten a child’s life by up to seven months, a study suggests.
Experts looked at the impact of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter on death rates and loss of life-expectancy in Birmingham.
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They found an eight-year-old born in 2011 may die between two to seven months early if exposed to projected pollution levels over their lifetime.
The study, the first of its type, also found society believed it would be reasonable to spend £190million to £470million a year on policies to reduce air pollution.
The research did not include conditions such as asthma.
Sue Huyton, of the Clean Air Parents’ Network, said: “It’s awful that children living in the UK are breathing air that may shorten their lives.
“As a parent, you want to do everything you can for your children, but when it comes to air pollution you can feel helpless. That is why those in power must step up.”
Polly Billington, of the UK100 network of local government leaders which commissioned the research, called for inclusive clean air zones. She added: “This invisible killer is cutting the lives of children and causing health misery for thousands of adults.”
