Charity's playground air pollution warning

A Birmingham park was among sites the charity went to on Thursday

A total of 99% of more than 43,000 playgrounds in Britain exceed World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits on air pollution, a lung charity has said.

Asthma + Lung UK said Manchester ranked as the most polluted UK city and Birmingham also breached WHO limits for the most harmful nitrogen dioxide pollutants.

It wants the government to publish new plans to protect people from air pollution and set out guidance for traffic reduction measures around care homes, schools and hospitals.

The government said it was committed to "cleaning up our air".

During the charity's day of action on Thursday, campaigners were stationed at some of the most polluted playgrounds and open spaces in the UK to warn visitors of health risks associated with poor air quality.

Campaigners went to various locations in London, Ardwick Green park in Manchester and Moonlit Park in Birmingham.

Asthma + Lung UK said Birmingham had levels of toxic air almost five times higher than WHO limits for nitrogen dioxide, which was amongst the most harmful pollutants, exceeding London levels.

There were more than 24,000 children in Birmingham living with asthma, according to a 2021 study, it added.

The charity said Office for National Statistics data showed one in eight UK households "does not have its own garden, and the vast majority of British children live in built-up urban areas", so needed access to playgrounds and outdoor spaces.

On Thursday, people were being warned of health risks associated with poor air quality at playgrounds and open spaces

Mother-of-eight Donna said she feared air pollution was a "silent killer" but living near to motorways in Birmingham she had no choice but to let her children play out in parks.

Her daughter Hannah-Louise, 14, was diagnosed with asthma and her mum said she needed to have a significant amount of time off school.

Donna, who lives near to the M5/M6 motorway junction, added: "During this summer holiday, [my children] have been to the park nearly every day. I do worry about the risks of air pollution.

"Politicians must do more to protect our children urgently - even the smallest improvements in air quality could make a big difference to their health."

Donna (right, pictured with daughter Hannah-Louise) said she worried about the risks of air pollution

Toxic air "takes a heavy toll on the youngest" and children were more vulnerable "because their airways are smaller and still developing", Asthma + Lung UK said.

The group's chief executive, Sarah Sleet, said: "The UK has the worst records for deaths from lung disease in Europe, and it’s no coincidence that we also have one of the highest rates of childhood asthma here too.

“No government would allow people to drink dirty water, so why should the air we breathe be any different?"

Asthma + Lung UK added that only 429 playgrounds in England, based in "extremely rural settings", complied with air quality targets set out by WHO.

A government spokesperson said ministers were committed to improving air quality and protecting people from pollution.

“That is why we are working at pace to deliver a comprehensive and ambitious Clean Air Strategy to deliver legally binding targets on improving air quality," they added.