
Thu Sep 12 04:37:00 UTC 2024: ## Birmingham Mum Calls for Urgent Action on Toxic Air After Daughter’s Asthma Diagnosis
**Birmingham, UK** – Donna Hart, a mother of eight from Birmingham, is calling for urgent action to improve air quality after her daughter Hannah-Louise was diagnosed with asthma. Donna believes that exposure to toxic air, particularly near busy roads, played a role in her daughter’s condition.
Donna, whose family lives near the congested M5/M6 interchange, expressed her concerns about the dangers of air pollution for her children. She highlights that despite the risks, she feels compelled to let them play outdoors, fearing the consequences of keeping them confined indoors.
“I worry about the risks of air pollution around here, especially with Hannah-Louise having asthma,” Donna said. “But I also think it’s important for my children to go outdoors and get some exercise.”
She described air pollution as an “invisible killer” and is urging the government to take immediate action to protect children’s health. “I can’t believe that we have allowed this to happen, especially given that a child has already died and it’s been acknowledged that something’s got to be done,” she said, referencing the case of Ella Kissi-Debrah, who became the first person in the UK to have air pollution listed as a cause of death.
Asthma + Lung UK, a leading lung charity, supports Donna’s call for action. They highlight that Birmingham is among the most polluted cities in the UK, with Nitrogen Dioxide levels exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) limits by almost five times. The charity emphasizes the disproportionate impact of air pollution on children, who are particularly vulnerable due to their developing lungs.
The charity is calling on the government to implement bold new clean-air legislation, including improved public information on the issue, traffic reduction measures in key areas, and commitment to walking and cycling policies.
Donna’s story serves as a stark reminder of the serious health implications of air pollution, particularly for children. As she urges, urgent action is needed to protect our children from this “invisible killer.”