Air Pollution Blamed as 114,000 London Children Hospitalised with Respiratory Problems

LONDON, UK - New figures reveal that nearly 114,000 children in London were hospitalised or visited A&E last year with serious respiratory issues. Campaigners are directly linking these alarming numbers to the capital's toxic air pollution.

The data, from a Freedom of Information request, shows the extent of the problem. Of the 113,736 total paediatric respiratory admissions, about 88,000 were to A&E, and 26,000 required a hospital stay.

Parents and doctors are speaking out. Jemima Hartshorn, founder of Mums for Lungs, called the data “heartbreaking” and an “avoidable” public health crisis. She blames diesel vehicles and domestic wood burning.

Children are more at risk because they breathe faster and are closer to the ground, where pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5 are more concentrated. Research shows this pollution can stunt a child’s lung growth by up to 14%.

Dr Katie Knight, a paediatric consultant, says thousands of children come to A&E with breathing problems made worse by toxic air. She stressed that immediate action is needed to prevent this crisis from growing.

In response, the Mayor of London's office highlights policies like the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) for improving air quality. They say they are committed to meeting WHO air quality guidelines.

The government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) also calls air pollution a public health priority. They cited a £575 million investment to help local authorities take action.

The campaign group Mums for Lungs, however, wants more aggressive policies. They are pushing for a clear timeline to phase out diesel vehicles and for restrictions on large, high-polluting SUVs in the city.

(Source: BBC reporting and local media outlets)