Croydon parents call for diesel phase-out as polluted air ‘makes children sick’

Campaigners have called on the next government to do more to phase out diesel vehicles after more than 150 children in Croydon were admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties last year.

A freedom of information request sent to Croydon Health Services NHS Trust revealed that in 2023, 160 children under the age of five were treated at University Hospital Croydon for respiratory problems.

In total, more than 15,000 children in 22 London hospitals were admitted with severe breathing difficulties last year.

The figures were obtained by air pollution campaigners Mums for Lungs, who have called for faster action to phase out diesel vehicles by 2030, with some limited exceptions.

Children from Oasis Ryelands Academy’s Environmental Council joined the cause, attracting attention by hanging up baby booms saying ‘Clean Air Now’ near areas with high levels of pollution.

In England, 15,328 children under 19 were admitted to hospital for severe asthma attacks in 2022/23, according to figures from Public Health England.

In London alone, 2,705 children were admitted to hospital for the same reason.

Croydon resident and parent Karina Fernandez said: “For too long the air in London and beyond has been so polluted it is making children sick.

“My son and I have asthma and it’s awful.

“No parent should have to sit in A&E anxiously watching their child’s breathing.

“Now we need less cars and wood burning now.”

Croydon’s air pollution monitors consistently show dangerous levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM 2.5).

Exposure to such substances can lead to serious health problems, especially in vulnerable groups, including the young and the elderly.

The Croydon-Norbury monitor measures NO2 levels almost triple the World Health Organization recommendations.

Dr Anna Moore, a respiratory doctor who works at an NHS hospital in London, said: “All the evidence shows that there is a clear link between high levels of air pollution and respiratory conditions.

“These figures also show that there are hundreds of children in hospital with preventable conditions.

“At a time when NHS resources are stretched, we urgently need to clean up our air, including phasing out the most polluting diesel cars, lorries and vans.”

Jemima Hartshorn from Mums for Lungs said: “Thousands of children can’t breathe because of preventable air pollution, this has to change.

“The next national government, mayors and local authorities must use all their powers to phase out diesel vehicles and protect children from painful and debilitating health conditions.”

Road transport is a major factor in London’s air pollution problem, which is believed to contribute to around 4,000 premature deaths in the capital each year.

Mums for Lungs is calling on the main political party leaders, Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer, to discourage people from buying diesel vehicles and set a target for a diesel-free England by 2030.

Croydon Council has been contacted for comment.