The Primary 5 class have been learning what causes air pollution, how it affects everyone and what action people can take to reduce it.

Fiona Maguire, Senior Environmental Health Officer at North Lanarkshire Council, visited the school to give a presentation and invited the class to design posters with a message about air pollution.

The winning design, by Anna Grace Connelly has been made into a banner which will be displayed at the school entrance to to raise awareness of air pollution among the rest of the school and the wider community.

Convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, Councillor Helen Loughran, and Vice-Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee, Councillor Beth Baudo, presented Anna and three finalists with a prize.

The finalists were Oona Krajcik , Keir Scobie and Cara Brogan.

“Air pollution is recognised by the World Health Organisation as the biggest environmental threat to our health, with children particularly at risk due to their developing lungs, brains and immune systems,” explains Councillor Loughran.

“So it’s important that children are aware of how air pollution affects them and, importantly, what actions they can take to improve air quality n their daily lives. Their banner will help raise awareness among parents and others in the community.”

The air pollution project is part of the school’s work towards the Rights Respecting Schools award, and supports this year’s national Clean Air Day campaign on 19 June which highlights how air pollution affects us from before our first breath until our last.

Find out what you can do to help improve air quality at www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/pests-and-pollution/pollution/air-quality/choose-clean-air-0