Colchester Council launches air pollution toolkit for schools

The Toolkit for Schools is part of Colchester Council’s CAReless Pollution campaign and provides teachers with a range of resources and ideas.

Ideas are linked to curriculum subjects like English, geography and science and include fieldwork like using air quality monitors and classwork such as a poster designing competition and route mapping.

The council’s environment boss Martin Goss said: “We are really keen to inspire students to understand the consequences of air pollution and take positive action to improve local air.

"We hope the Toolkit for Schools will encourage young people to speak to the adults in their household about switching off their engines while they wait, particularly outside the school gates.

“The activities in the toolkit also provide an opportunity for young people to learn responsible driving habits before they get behind the wheel themselves.”

Pollution - St James' Primary School pupils get to grips with the toolkit

Air pollution reduces life expectancy and is linked to one in 20 deaths in Colchester.

It can also cause increased symptom’s for people suffering from Asthma, and COPD.

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Vicki Decroo, Deputy Chief Operating Officer for North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “As a community we can take positive action that improves the quality of our health for all residents, even little switches when done by many cause an impact that we will all benefit from that also supports a reduction in breathing related complication’s worsening or developing for our friends and family.”

The main source of Colchester’s air pollution is exhaust fumes.

Pollution - St James' Primary School pupils get to grips with the toolkit

The council says switching your engine off while stationary can cut air pollution by up to 30 per cent.

The Toolkit is available from www.colchester.gov.uk/cleanair.