“One Free Postcard Could Send a Powerful Message for Rainham’s Children”.
By Ruth Kettle-Frisby – Guest Writer and Community Activist
Ruth is passionate about fostering positive change within the local community and regularly contributes insights and stories to The Havering Daily.
Join Clear the Air in Havering by sending a free Mums for Lungs postcard to Andy Burnham for the sake of Rainham children and beyond.
Send our new Prime Minister a postcard — Mums for Lungs
The need for a new, updated Clean Air Act – that’s actually fit for purpose in the modern era – is acutely felt here in Havering.
Air pollution presents the largest environmental threat to human health, linked to 43,000 premature deaths each year; and children – with their developing organs and immune systems – are among the most vulnerable to its harmful effects across their entire lifetimes.
In spite of vehement opposition to the ULEZ in Greater London boroughs like Havering – which we know was intensely politicised and riddled with racism and misinformation – research earlier this year by Imperial College London, and the recent CHILL study by Queen Mary University, has provided critical evidence that reducing toxic air emitted by vehicles is significantly improving air quality and saving lives.
Air pollution mitigation strategies like School Streets and clean air zones – coupled with active travel infrastructure and information awareness campaigns – are positive for children’s lungs, development, health and well-being.
Havering children deserve to breathe clean air as much as inner London children, however much more needs to be done.
The Clean Air Act was brought out in 1956 when larger, visible particles of smoke were the target, as opposed to the fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) emitted by wood burners and road vehicles today.
We need a new clean air act to protect children from the harm that is caused by these microscopic, invisible particles, which can enter every single organ in the body via the bloodstream.
There is no safe level of air pollution, however current limits to toxic air fall dangerously short of World Health Organization standards, and are failing communities across the country, including here in Havering.
The Havering Daily recently reported that Havering Council has been ranked the third worst council in London according to our evidence-based Healthy Streets Scorecard.
Evidence suggests that this is likely to be especially true for under-served communities, children who live or go to school or nursery near main roads, children with asthma, and disabled children.
We know that Rainham children in particular, who are breathing in the toxic smoke from the illegal landfill smoke fumes, are desperate for the relief they deserve.
Join Clear the Air in Havering by demanding a new Clean Air Act because all children deserve the equal right to breathe clean air.
Send our new Prime Minister a postcard — Mums for Lungs
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