Ulez led to better lung size and function among London children, study finds

The Guardian UK Tuesday 18 August 2026, 22:30 UTC By Damien Gayle Environment correspondent 1 min read

Key Points

Researchers find capacity stunted by pollution was restored after introduction of ultra-low emission zoneChildren’s lungs grew bigger and stronger after the most polluting vehicles were restricted from entering London, a study has found. Examinations of London schoolchildren before and after the introduction of the city’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) found a restoration of lung capacity that had been stunted by exposure to pollution.

Researchers find capacity stunted by pollution was restored after introduction of ultra-low emission zone

Children’s lungs grew bigger and stronger after the most polluting vehicles were restricted from entering London, a study has found.

Examinations of London schoolchildren before and after the introduction of the city’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) found a restoration of lung capacity that had been stunted by exposure to pollution.

Ulez (PERSON) London (LOCATION)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

Critics said I was attacking motorists. It’s more important for me that the city’s children are no longer breathing dangerous levels of pollutionUlez led to better lung size and function among London children, study findsWhen I introduced London’s clean air zone – the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) – more than seven years ago, no city had ever attempted anything quite like it. At the time, the scheme in central London provoked fierce opposition.

The Guardian Environment 1h ago

Ulez led to better lung size and function among London children, study finds

The Guardian World 1h ago

US Navy destroyer with 300 sailors aboard broke down for 4 days in the Pacific

A US Navy destroyer with about 300 sailors aboard suffered a major breakdown in the Pacific Ocean last month that left it without power for four days, the Navy confirmed in a statement. The USS Benfold “reported an engineering casualty involving its generators, causing a loss of power” on July 24, Navy spokesman Commander Matthew Comer said in the statement. The breakdown meant the crew went without drinking water, meals, functioning toilets and air conditioning for days aboard the ship,...

South China Morning Post 2h ago

Second major fire at south London recycling centre in under three months

Fifteen fire engines tackling blaze at Landmann Way in Deptford involving 50 tonnes of household wasteFifteen fire engines and about 100 firefighters are tackling a blaze in a south-east London recycling plant for the second time this summer. London fire brigade said the blaze on Landmann Way in Deptford involves about 50 tonnes of household waste stored at a recycling facility.

The Guardian UK 2h ago

Ulez led to better lung size and function among London children, study finds

Related Stories

Introducing Ulez was my hardest decision as mayor of London – but now we know its astonishing impact | Sadiq Khan

Ulez led to better lung size and function among London children, study finds

US Navy destroyer with 300 sailors aboard broke down for 4 days in the Pacific

Second major fire at south London recycling centre in under three months