UK: Children Being Denied the Basic Human Right to Clean Air

 
UNICEF says UK’s Children are being denied their basic human right to breathe clean air and facing a long-term “health crisis” because of the toxic fumes they breathe on their way to and from school,
UNICEF campaigns on children’s rights and well-being all over the world. And described the situation in the UK as “horrific” and has declared it is to make protecting youngsters from air pollution its priority across the country in the months ahead.
Alastair Harper from UNICEF UK said “I have been amazed at the picture has emerged showing us just exactly what the impact of air pollution is on children in the UK’.
Research is coming out all the time showing us how these toxic discharges can lead to lasting and devastating health impacts, impacts that will last their entire lives, from stunted lung growth to asthma to brain developments and it is horrific.
“We want a national strategy specifically to protect children from harm, and a ring-fenced pot of funding to focus on the ways to reduce children’s exposure to toxic air Harper added.
He also said measures should embrace vehicle exclusion zones around schools, a network of clean air zones, advanced walking and cycling infrastructure in towns and cities and more child-friendly urban areas.
According to the Guardian investigation report last year hundreds of thousands of children are being depiction to illegal levels of damaging air pollution from diesel vehicles at more than 2,000 schools and nurseries across England and Wales. The government has been widely criticized for its lack of action on air pollution.
> Alma Siddiqua