Air pollution for schoolkids is higher on the busier side of the road

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-07-27 09:05

New Zealand

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Just crossing the road of a traffic-clogged street could drastically reduce the amount of air pollution children are exposed to on their morning walk to school, new research says. Scientists tested the air quality on both sides of a busy arterial road, finding pedestrians on the high-traffic side were exposed to elevated levels of pollution for 2.5 times longer than the low-traffic side. An alternative route through backstreets resulted in even less pollution exposure. The researchers say this could help walking school buses plan their routes.