The Times: Manchester pollution study tackles ‘invisible school bully’

Six thousand schoolchildren are to be part of a pioneering project that will monitor the effects of classroom air pollution on education and health.

The project will involve 20 primary schools in Greater Manchester amid concern that air pollution acts like an “invisible bully” that prevents children from realising their potential, damaging health and hindering academic performance.

The Times revealed this year that about 2.6 million children across Britain attend schools in areas where levels of dangerous airborne particles exceed World Health Organisation limits.

The research project, led by the University of Manchester, will use air purifiers in some classrooms to remove ultra-fine particles that can travel deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream.

To gauge possible beneficial effects, researchers will ask teachers for their perceptions of pupil behaviour and use short puzzle tests to measure concentration levels. They will also examine whether cleaner air improves health, looking at absences and inhaler use.

The full online article can be found here.