Parents ‘trapped’ in toxic homes as Hubbub launch new air quality campaign

59% of parents would move house to ‘escape’ air pollution if they could afford it and 12% have already moved to cleaner areas due to concerns around air pollution.

These are the findings of environmental charity Hubbub who have launched a new campaign alongside firms such as Investec plc and Kingfisher that aims to provide practical advice on how families can protect themselves from air pollution.

The campaign, called #AirWeShare, will also offer guidance on how individuals can do their bit to reduce their own emissions and how they can use their voice to call for cleaner air in towns and cities.

As part of their research, Hubbub and Investec asked parents a range of questions related to air pollution which also revealed that 31% said air pollution will be a factor when deciding which school their child attends.

Overall 83% of those surveyed are worried about the effect of air pollution on themselves and their family. This rises to 89% for parents with primary school-aged children and 92% for those with under-fives.

37% believe air pollution in their nearest town or city is getting worse.

Photo credit – Hubbub

Last week, Global Action Plan released research that showed indoor air pollution is over three times worse than outdoor air pollution, with campaigners calling UK households ‘toxic boxes’ due to the number of air pollution particles trapped inside.

Hubbub also carried out air quality monitoring with 10 people in London, in partnership with King’s College London. Participants with different hobbies, occupations and travel routines carried portable air pollution monitors for a week.

They say their results showed that everyone experiences pollution differently and that everyone can probably do something in their day to reduce their exposure.

One of the participants A level student Kacie Curtis said: ‘The study found that I’m most exposed to air pollution while I’m waiting for my bus to school.

‘It’s a busy road and there are so many big cars passing by with only one person in them, so it’s not surprising the area is polluted.

‘It’s really worrying though when you see reports of the links between air pollution and teenage mental health problems and I wish more could be done to stop people being so ridiculous about driving everywhere.’

Joining Investec plc and Kingfisher in the campaign are Bunzl, First Mile, Grosvenor, Kingfisher and Innogy EMobility.

Read more about the campaign here.