EVERY London hospital, medical centre and care home is in areas that exceed World Health Organisation (WHO) limits for toxic pollution, an analysis by City Hall revealed today.

The study, based on the latest London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, shows that while 91 per cent of hospitals and medical centres comply with the legal limits on nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter set by the government, no site meet the stricter WHO-recommended guidelines for the protection of human health.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s office said that the data added to growing evidence that bold action is required to reduce air pollution, tackle the climate emergency and cut congestion in the capital to protect the most vulnerable Londoners and create a greener, healthier city.

It said that while the mayor has taken “groundbreaking action” to tackle toxic air and carbon emissions, there is “still much more work to do” before London meets legal and safe pollution limits.

Sixteen per cent of London’s major roads still exceed the legal limits for nitrogen dioxide.

And in 2019, 87 per cent of all care homes in the city were in areas exceeding the WHO interim fine particulate matter guideline.

Toxic air pollution can stunt the growth of children’s lungs and worsen chronic illnesses such as asthma, lung and heart diseases, experts say.

Global Action Plan clean air director Larissa Lockwood said: “Clean air in and around healthcare settings is crucial.

“No-one should have to breathe dirty air, but we need to protect our most vulnerable.

“It cannot be right that healthcare professionals are forced to care for patients in environments that can worsen their symptoms as well as put them at risk of a whole range of other health problems.

“And this is all off the back of a respiratory pandemic, which we know the symptoms of can be exacerbated by air pollution.”

Evelina London Children’s Hospital clinical director Claire Lemer said: “Sadly, there’s not a week that goes by when we don’t see a child with a respiratory condition on our wards.

“Reducing air pollution will help to improve the lives of children and young people across the city, reducing unnecessary visits to hospital and helping them to lead healthier lives.”