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HealthB2Mixed conditionals

Scientists stunned by children's lung recovery in ultra low emission zone

Wednesday, 19 August 2026

Illustrative photo: Boy sitting on swing chair.
Illustrative photo: Boy sitting on swing chair.
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Warm-up

  1. What air quality issues affect your city or region?
  2. How does traffic change the way you feel when you walk or cycle?
  3. What rules could reduce pollution without hurting daily life?

Vocabulary

emission
gas or smoke sent out by vehicles or factories
restriction
a rule that limits what people can do
capacity
the maximum amount something can hold or do
accelerate
to make something happen faster
vulnerable
more likely to be harmed or affected
implement
to start using a plan or rule officially
proportion
the part of a group measured in percentage or fraction
exposure
the state of coming into contact with something, like pollution

Reading

Scientists say young children’s lungs in London began to recover after strict emission restrictions were implemented. A study tracked more than 3,400 primary pupils, aged six to nine at the start, in London and in Luton for five years. London introduced the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) in 2019, charging older, more polluting vehicles, and later expanded it across the capital.

At first, children in London had lower lung capacity than those in Luton. By the end, their capacity had caught up to nearly identical levels. Researchers say lung growth accelerated in London as air quality improved. The main test measured how much air a child could blow out in one second after a deep breath.

The proportion of London children with clinically impaired capacity fell from 14% to 9%, compared with 9% to 7% in Luton. Monitors showed nitrogen dioxide exposure fell faster in London. Independent experts welcomed the results but noted other factors, including travel habits and the Covid period, should also be considered. Children are especially vulnerable because their lungs are still developing.

Original source

Comprehension

  1. What policy did London introduce in 2019?
  2. How many children did the study follow?
  3. Which two places were compared in the study?
  4. What happened to London children’s lung capacity by the end?
  5. How did nitrogen dioxide levels change in London?

Grammar focus

Mixed conditionals

A mixed conditional joins two different times. A past cause with a present result: 'If they had left earlier, they would be here now.' (Examples constructed.)

  • If monitors had shown lower NO2 earlier, researchers would see faster recovery now.
  • If stricter rules had been implemented sooner, the impaired proportion would be much lower now.

Grammar exercise

Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

  1. If MPs (close) ___ the loophole, revenue would be stable now.
  2. If the firm (retain) ___ its staff, output would be higher now.
  3. If the limit (be) ___ lower, more firms would have qualified.
  4. If buyers (diversify) ___ earlier, supply would be secure now.
  5. If the fund (hold) ___ reserves, it would have absorbed losses.

Discussion

  1. Should cities charge older cars to protect public health? Why or why not?
  2. What trade-offs are acceptable to cut urban pollution?
  3. How could schools encourage cleaner travel for families?
  4. What data would convince skeptics that clean air zones work?
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