I WRITE to you on behalf of leading respiratory health charities about the dangers of air pollution around schools in Hampshire.

Recently we commissioned the first national research into levels of fine particulate matter around all British schools and colleges.

Known as PM2.5, this type is the most worrying form of air pollution to human health.

Our analysis showed more than a quarter of all schools in the country are in areas that are above World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for PM2.5.

Further analysis of the research has shown the problem to be far worse in some parts of the country and in Hampshire, just under half of all schools and colleges (41%) are in areas with very high levels.

Air pollution is linked with tens of thousands of early deaths each year and impacts certain groups more, including children and people with lung conditions.

It is also linked to long-term illnesses including lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.

It is fundamentally unfair that children are forced to breathe dirty air that could be putting their health and futures at risk.

For the one in 11 who already have asthma, the risks are far greater, as exposure to air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, which may even leave them hospitalised.

Current legal limits for PM2.5 in the UK are inadequate, they are double those recommended by the WHO.

Over the next few weeks, MPs will be debating the Environment Bill in parliament and government has the opportunity to commit to tougher laws on PM2.5 in line with WHO guidelines.

This commitment could make them world leaders in tackling air pollution.

But we need to make sure that they know how important this is.

We would like to ask your readers to show their support for stronger targets on air pollution by emailing their MP using the quick and easy tool on our website: https://www.blf.org.uk/take-action/campaign/clean-air/environment-bill

Sarah MacFadyen

Head of Policy, Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation