Calls for Inquiry Into Unequal Health Impacts of Air Pollution
Scientists and activists demand government action on air quality disparities affecting vulnerable communities.
1Urgent Call for Inquiry
A coalition of 150 scientists, MPs, and activists, including Greta Thunberg, has formally urged Andy Burnham to launch a national inquiry. The initiative demands a systematic investigation into the unequal health impacts of air pollution, specifically targeting the disproportionate exposure faced by lower-income households and minority-ethnic populations across the United Kingdom.
2Disproportionate Exposure Data
Research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies highlights a persistent disparity in air quality. Lower-income areas consistently endure higher pollution levels compared to wealthier districts. Furthermore, minority-ethnic populations are exposed to pollution levels approximately 6% higher than those experienced by white populations, underscoring a systemic inequality that requires urgent governmental policy intervention.
3Severe Health Consequences
Air pollution exposure is clinically linked to serious conditions including heart disease, strokes, cancer, and asthma. The letter emphasizes that the UK currently lacks a dedicated mechanism to address these specific health inequalities. Children are identified as particularly vulnerable due to their developing lungs and higher air intake relative to body size.
4Rising Hospital Admissions
Data obtained by Mums for Lungs reveals that in 2025, over 200,000 children were hospitalized with breathing difficulties across 11 English cities, including London and Birmingham. Notably, over 120,000 of these cases involved babies and toddlers. In Manchester, hospital admissions for this youngest demographic surged from 653 in 2023 to 1,072 in 2025.
5Policy and Accountability
The campaign group Mums for Lungs has criticized the 2023 decision by Andy Burnham to scrap clean air zone plans in Greater Manchester. Founder Jemima Hartshorn labeled the current situation an air pollution emergency, questioning whether sufficient action is being taken to drive down emissions that continue to affect thousands of families.
6Persistent Illegal Emission Levels
Despite improvements in cities like London, where ultra-low emission zones have strengthened children's lung development, illegal pollution levels persist. Government data confirms that parts of London, Glasgow, and Bristol recorded illegal levels of air pollution in 2025. Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah highlighted this as a failure of inaction by major political parties.
7Governmental Response Strategy
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stated that air quality is improving over the long term. Officials noted that while most standards are met, further action is required. The government aims to cut harmful particle exposure by nearly one-third by 2030 through collaborative clean air plans and robust monitoring.
8Systemic Change Requirements
The demand for an inquiry reflects a growing consensus that air pollution is not merely an environmental issue but a social justice crisis. By linking emissions to specific demographic outcomes, the coalition seeks to force a shift from general monitoring to targeted health protections, ensuring that vulnerable communities receive the necessary policy support.