Healthy Air, Healthier Children

That the Parliament notes the Health & Environment Alliance report, Healthy Air, Healthier Children; understands that around 40,000 deaths are attributable to exposure to air pollution across the UK each year and that children are particularly at risk from polluted air; is concerned that the report’s authors found high levels of carbon dioxide present inside classrooms, which can contribute to headaches, dizziness and the inability to concentrate; understands that the World Health Organization has warned that no level of air pollution can be considered safe; believes that children must be protected from harmful emissions that can affect their heart, brain and nervous system development; considers that initiatives such as the closure of streets outside schools to motor vehicles during drop-off and pick-up times and developing a network of walking and cycling routes to schools could significantly reduce air pollution levels and improve child health, and calls on the Scottish Government to work with local authorities to ensure that adequate data monitoring and all appropriate support is in place to assist in the roll out of low-emission zones across the country.