Mums for Lungs

Black Friday purchases will increase emissions from road freight by over 90% across the week 😱. There are one million more vans on our roads than there were 10 years ago, and this is a growing problem. Impact on Urban Health is calling on the Government to reform the freight delivery sector by creating a last-mile delivery task force, setting up more local collection options and helping businesses switch to lower carbon delivery options, like cargo bikes. It can't come soon enough! What do you think?

We're very happy to see this new government guidance for local authorities on how to set up and manage a #SchoolStreet. This is something we've talked about for years - a blueprint for implementation so that local authorities who are less experienced can feel confident to implement a School Street in the best way possible. It's also good to see case studies from across the country - from Birmingham to Wakefield to Derby to Southampton. We look forward to seeing this used in earnest. https://buff.ly/4eCdzyU

Last week was quite something - we went from 100 followers on Bluesky to 1600. We're watching the X-odus with interest. In other news, we read that NHS figures obtained by Asthma + Lung UK revealed serious breathing problems led to more emergency admissions to hospital in England than any other medical condition last year. https://lnkd.in/euthj6eZ Meanwhile a new US study has shown clear links between #AirPollution exposure and eczema. "They found that for every 10 microgram per cubic metre increase in PM2.5, eczema rates more than doubled". https://lnkd.in/gv3ybm3j And finally, Jemima Hartshorn's cat has decided he wants to get involved in our campaigns. Should we let him?!

Nine years later, it is outrageous that the legacy of dieselgate is still ongoing. The Times has revealed that the Government is investigating how many diesel cars by manufacturers other than Volkswagen might have defeat devices installed. 47 different car models under 20 brands by 11 manufacturers are suspected of being more polluting than thought. One of our main campaigns calls for a diesel phase-out because diesel is the single biggest contributor of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on our roads. The health effects of NOx and NO2 are myriad. They include lowering the sperm count, impairing foetal development in the womb, increasing the risk of miscarriage, asthma, high blood pressure, mental illness, and increasing the risk of stroke, dementia, cancer and heart disease. Last year ClientEarth submitted a legal complaint to the French, German and UK governments over their failure to tackle the epidemic of illegal defeat devices. There could be between two and six million cars with defeat devices on UK roads, a far wider dieselgate scandal than originally thought. We look forward to the results of the investigation; we need it to lead to commitments from the government to phase out diesel by 2030, to protect the next generation from its devastating health impacts.

📣 Clean Air Fund is hiring! Vacancies currently available: 📍 Accra, Ghana - Finance Business Partner - Human Resources and Payroll Partner 📍 Colombia, South America - Executive Assistant (part-time) 📍 London, United Kingdom - Finance Business Partner - Funder Relations Manager (maternity cover) - Global Recruitment Partner (job share) - Human Resources Project Partner Find out more and apply ▶️ https://bit.ly/4eLEjhq #CharityJobs #Hiring

We recently took to the streets of #GreaterManchester to highlight its shockingly high levels of #AirPollution. Over 60 monitors across GM recorded illegal levels of NO2 last year. We need far stronger action - including more #SchoolStreets. https://lnkd.in/ejrDBkcj

Do you know how much #AirPollution is created when you burn wood? 👉 Defra approved/#Ecodesign stove = 400 times more polluting than a gas boiler. 👉 Open fire = 4000 times more polluting than a gas boiler. This is why we campaign on wood burning, and ask people to think twice about burning. https://lnkd.in/ghDe4zk6

"A remarkable research project that will demonstrate how the air we breathe can affect our brains." It will be fascinating to see the results of this new research looking at how tiny particles in the air link to #Dementia. #Alzheimers #AirPollution

This is excellent news for #Nature. Sir Keir Starmer is quoted here: "We are returning the UK to responsible global leadership....because it is right, but also because it is plainly in our self-interest.” We hope this extends to setting world-leading #CleanAir targets.

Our latest research reveals that nearly 5000 children under 5 were hospitalised with breathing difficulties in Birmingham in 2023. 👉 Inside the Clean Air Zone there was a 16% fall in admissions. 👉 Outside the zone there was a 22% rise in admissions. It's clear that we need more action to tackle air pollution from Birmingham's leaders. We're calling for more School Streets, diesel surcharging and an expansion to the Clean Air Zone.