Audit of council-level clean air policies for schools in England

ABSTRACT

Background: During the COVID Pandemic paediatric respiratory admissions in the UK fell to unprecedented levels. People questioned whether school air quality may be a risk factor for childhood respiratory disease and school health. There are existing recommendations around school air quality, but whether these have been implemented has not been audited. Aim(s) to evaluate whether district councils had policies around clean air in schools, and whether there was consistency across the country. Method(s) 3 reviewers examined the most recent council Air Quality Reports/Plans on the council websites of 181 district/borough councils in England. Based on existing standards, we evaluated important domains air pollution monitoring;school travel plans;individual schools' asthma plans;education about air pollution;clean air zones around schools;building use to optimise air quality. Result(s) There was inconsistency across district councils. 143/181 (79%) of councils had an air quality action plan, but of these only 4/143 (3%) included policies specifically for schools. 119/181 (66%) recommended that schools should promote greener travel alternatives. Only 13/181 (7%) had specific plans to help manage children with respiratory illnesses. No councils had policies around building use, including ventilation. Conclusion(s) We found significant inconsistency in clean air policies for schools across district councils in England. Improving this is a priority for childhood respiratory health. Research must be undertaken alongside children suffering from respiratory illnesses, teachers, and healthcare professionals - in particular school nurses - to set high standards for air quality in schools.