YOUNGSTERS are being exposed to toxic diesel fumes six times worse than the national average, a study has found.

Government data has revealed five south Essex schools are in areas where emissions of nitrogen dioxide gas are at potentially dangerous levels.

Experts believe exposure to polluted air could hinder lung development and cause conditions such as asthma.

Noak Bridge Primary School, in Coppice Lane, Basildon, and Laindon Park Primary School, on Church Hill, Laindon, are among the worst areas in Essex.

The schools, located near the A127, suffer from nitrous dioxide levels of 27 and 28 tons per sq km respectively.

The national average is 4.5 tons and any schools with readings of 25 over were flagged up in a national survey.

At St George's Primary School, in Eagle Way, Shoebury, the 52 tons per sq km reading is 12 times worse than average.

The school is situated close to c2c railway depot.

Mike Assenheim, borough councillor for Shoebury, said he would be seeking answers from council officers about the findings.

He said: “I am quite astounded because there are other schools very nearby as well.

“Shoeburyness High School is close to the railway as well, so I will be raising the matter with officers as soon as possible.”

High levels were also recorded at Porters Grange Primary School, in Lancaster Gardens, Southend (29 tons) and Ghyllgrove Infant and Junior Schools, The Gore, Basildon (33 tons).

The figures have been compiled by the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, run by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The inventory uses the density of roads, rail and industry in every square kilometre of the UK to estimate nitrous dioxide levels.

A list of about 3,000 schools nationwide where levels are dangerously high has been subsequently identified by the Sunday Times newspaper.

A Defra report said: “Studies have shown that nitrogen dioxide can cause lung irritation as well as lowering people's resistance to pneumonia and bronchitis and other respiratory infections.

“Road transport is the largest source of nitrogen oxides in the UK, with industrial combustion and power generation also accounting for a large fraction of the emission total.

“Almost a third of the UK emissions in 2013 arose from road transport, most of which came from diesel vehicles.”

Ray Gooding, county councillor responsible for education, said: “The health and wellbeing of Essex pupils is important to us.

“We work closely with the district, borough and city councils, as well as other Essex Air Quality Consortium partners, to monitor air quality.

“As the local highways authority, we are also continuing to try and reduce traffic congestion on the county’s roads by promoting sustainable transport options.”