Study finds London children's lung capacity improved after emission zone expanded

Researchers examining London schoolchildren before and after the city's ultra-low emission zone expansion found restored lung capacity previously stunted by air pollution exposure.

First covered Aug 18, 2026 · 3:30 PM PT · 3 articles · no longer in the live window

Study finds London children's lung capacity improved after emission zone expanded — Image via theguardian.com

Coverage

45d Electrek Surprise! London’s tax on polluting cars made everyone much healthier (updated) — The city of London has released a report showing drastic drops in air pollution since it expanded its Ultra Low Emission Zone, an area within the city where…

45d Guardian Environment Ulez led to better lung size and function among London children, study finds — Researchers find capacity stunted by pollution was restored after introduction of ultra-low emission zone Children’s lungs grew bigger and stronger after the…

45d Guardian Environment Introducing Ulez was my hardest decision as mayor of London – but now we know its astonishing impact | Sadiq Khan — Critics said I was attacking motorists. It’s more important for me that the city’s children are no longer breathing dangerous levels of pollution Ulez led to…

Primary sources

thelancet.com Fulltext (thelancet.com) — cited by 2 of the outlets above

london.gov.uk London meets legal limits for toxic NO2 pollution for the first time – almost 200 years earlier than predicted – following the Mayor’s world leading air pollution policies

More coverage from around the web

medicalxpress.com Introduction of London's ultra low emission zone linked to improved lung growth in children

aol.co.uk Ulez led to better lung size and function among London children, study finds - AOL

publications.ersnet.org Impact of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on lung development in children: results from the CHILL cohort study | European Respiratory Society

medrxiv.org Investigating the impact of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on children’s health: cohort description and baseline data from the Children’s Health in London and Luton (CHILL) prospective parallel cohort study

aol.co.uk Ulez linked to improved lung growth in children, major study finds - AOL

Discussion

Reddit: r/electricvehicles0↑ r/electricvehicles · 44d ago · 0 comments Surprise! London's tax on polluting cars made everyone much healthier (updated)

Appeared in: 2026-08-19 (#11) · 2026-08-20 (#19)

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