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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 do people worry about in big cities?
  2. How does traffic near your home or school affect daily life?
  3. What local rules or changes have improved health where you live?

Vocabulary

emission
the release of gas or pollution into the air
restriction
a rule that limits what people can do
implementation
the act of putting a plan or policy into action
exposure
contact with something harmful for a period of time
capacity
the amount something can hold or do; here, lung power
accelerate
to make something happen or grow faster
clinically
in medical terms or as judged by doctors
impaired
weakened or damaged compared to normal

Reading

Scientists tracking more than 3,400 primary pupils say children in London showed rapid lung recovery after emission restrictions began under the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) in 2019. The study followed six to nine-year-olds for five years in London and in Luton, a less polluted town with a similar mix of pollutants.

Before Ulez, London children had lower lung capacity than those in Luton. After four years, their capacity had accelerated and reached near identical levels. The share of London children judged clinically impaired fell from 14% to 9%, while Luton moved from 9% to 7% during the same period.

Researchers measured how much air a child could blow out in one second and reported gains on other tests too. They also found children’s exposure to nitrogen dioxide fell faster in London than in Luton, linking improved growth to cleaner air after Ulez implementation. Prof Chris Griffiths of Queen Mary University of London called the speed of catch-up “surprising and impressive,” while independent experts noted that Covid-era changes and travel habits should also be considered.

Original source

Comprehension

  1. What policy change began in London in 2019?
  2. How many children did the study track overall?
  3. What happened to London children’s lung capacity over four years?
  4. How did the rate of clinically impaired cases change in London?
  5. Which pollutant’s exposure fell faster in London than in Luton?

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 Ulez had not begun in 2019, children would be worse now.
  • If traffic were heavier now, researchers would have measured smaller gains last year.

Grammar exercise

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

  1. If the firm (retain) ___ its staff, output would be higher now.
  2. If the council (rezone) ___ the site, rents would be lower now.
  3. If the fund (hold) ___ reserves, it would have absorbed losses.
  4. If the limit (be) ___ lower, more firms would have qualified.
  5. If regulators (act) ___ sooner, markets would be calmer now.

Discussion

  1. Should cities charge older, more polluting cars to enter busy areas?
  2. What health benefits would you expect from cleaner air?
  3. How could schools encourage walking or cycling without risks?
  4. What data would convince the public to support clean air zones?
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