Pupils at an East Finchley school are being exposed to pollution levels more than 80 per cent over the legal limit.

Research by Barnet Citizens Environment Group has revealed levels of nitogen dioxide outside Christ College School were 82 per cent above EU safety limits - the highest in the whole borough.

Nitrogen dioxide is produced by road vehicles and can lead to respiratory problems such as asthma if people are exposed to it over long periods.

The group monitored levels of nitrogen dioxide in 14 locations across Barnet for several weeks in January and February and estimated the results for a full year.

It found levels of nitrogen dioxide only complied with EU limits at four locations, while readings at another four were borderline.

Levels at the remaining six locations - including Eton Nursery in West Hendon and Middlesex University, The Burroughs - were in breach of the EU guidelines.

According to Public Health England, air pollution is responsible for an estimated 162 early deaths per year in Barnet alone.

Dr Simon Brill, a respiratory physician at Barnet Hospital, said: “Urgent action is needed to reduce our children’s exposure to toxic particulates which lead to poorer lung health, both in childhood and long into adulthood.”

At a meeting of Barnet Citizens Assembly at Alyth Synagogue last night (March 14), leaders of the council's Conservative and Labour groups committed to improving air quality across the borough.

Council leader Richard Cornelius and Labour leader Barry Rawlings pledged to enforce air quality regulations across the borough, replace the council's vehicles with more environmentally friendly alternatives and introduce 'green barriers' around schools.

Councillor Dean Cohen, chairman of the Environment Committee, commented: “We are determined to ensure people in Barnet, particularly children and young people, can live in a nice, healthy and clean environment. Improving the quality of air we breathe is essential to this.

“We recently invested in electric vehicle charging points to help improve air quality in the borough, and there are plans in place to install more of these charging points in the future.

“We have also done a lot of work around informing residents about the simple things they can do to improve air quality. This includes switching off vehicle engines when it is stationery. People should also consider walking and cycling to school or work.

“We remain absolutely committed to tackling air pollution and will continue to look for innovative ways that can improve air quality across the borough.”