A Bermondsey-born businessman has donated £50,000 of his own money in a bid to tackle indoor air pollution, writes Josh Salisbury…
David Evans, founder of Aitopia, donated the sum to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) yesterday to help them study ways of tackling poor air quality indoors.
The entrepreneur, who was awarded an MBE in 2008, pledged the money to fund a working group for the organisation.
He said: “The illnesses caused by poor indoor air quality are self-inflicted wounds, which we can help prevent.
“We don’t yet know the extent of the problem and how serious the impact could be on future generations.
“That’s why the research being done by the RCPCH and its working group is so critical.
“I’m proud to support their efforts and I believe the report they produce could have a significant impact on the health of the nation.”
A growing body of evidence suggests exposure to air pollution in childhood is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems and cancer.
Air pollution is one of the leading risks to children’s health and is heavy linked to respiratory diseases which cause one in ten deaths among the under-fives.
The Bermondsey businessman met with RCPCH President Professor Russell Viner, and Chief Executive Jo Revill yesterday at their office in London, to formally present the donation.
Professor Viner said: “Air pollution is one of the leading dangers to child health and whilst quite a lot is known about the risks of air pollution outside the home, more research is needed on the effects to child health indoors.
“David’s generous donation will help us determine what these risks are and in turn will help the working group develop recommendations to overcome these challenges.”
He added: “On behalf of the Indoor Air Pollution Working Group, I thank David Evans for his kind donation and as a result, look forward to seeing advancements in this area develop.”
The working group will publish a report next year suggesting ways of combating indoor air pollution and the health toll it causes.