Professor Prashant Kumar discusses how cleaner air can improve health on Voice of Islam Radio

Professor Prashant Kumar, Founding Director of the University of Surrey's Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), joined Voice of Islam Radio's Drive Time Show to discuss the health impacts of air pollution and what can be done to create cleaner, healthier environments.

The programme, broadcast on 23 September 2026, explored "Air Pollution: Can Cleaner Air Heal?", bringing together experts to discuss how polluted air affects human health and how improvements in air quality can benefit individuals and communities. The programme featured Professor Kumar alongside Dr Ian Mudway, Associate Professor of Environmental Toxicology at Imperial College London.

During the discussion, Professor Kumar drew on GCARE's extensive research into outdoor and indoor air pollution, schools, urban environments and public health.

He highlighted the particular importance of protecting children and other vulnerable groups from exposure to polluted air, including in places where people spend a significant proportion of their time, such as schools and indoor environments.

Professor Kumar has previously highlighted how relatively straightforward interventions can improve air quality in and around schools, particularly those close to busy roads. GCARE's research has examined approaches ranging from ventilation and air purification to pollution monitoring, green infrastructure and measures to reduce exposure to traffic emissions.

The radio discussion also considered the wider health benefits of reducing air pollution and the role of measures including cleaner transport, monitoring, technology and urban policy.

Professor Kumar has argued that improving air quality should be considered not simply an environmental objective, but an important public-health intervention, with action on emissions from transport, energy and other sources capable of delivering wider benefits to communities.

The discussion also touched on London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and the role that policies aimed at reducing transport emissions can play alongside other interventions. Professor Kumar emphasised the importance of combining policy measures with scientific evidence, monitoring and practical actions at the community and individual level.

The interview reflects GCARE's wider vision of achieving "clean air for all" through research that improves understanding of air pollution exposure, develops practical solutions and supports evidence-based policy.

Listen to the interview

The discussion was broadcast as part of:

Drive Time Show Podcast – Sustainable Farming & Air Pollution
Voice of Islam Radio
23 September 2026

The Air Pollution: Can Cleaner Air Heal? discussion forms the second part of the programme.

Listen to the full programme