Clare Walter, a PhD candidate from the University of Queensland, said internal combustion engines emitted a range of toxic pollutants that led to serious health effects.

“Two-thirds of the health impacts that are associated with air pollution are from chronic day-to-day exposures from vehicles. So the 11,000 premature deaths from vehicle exhaust would be reduced, children’s asthma would be reduced, all these other diseases that are linked would also be reduced and we would have a massive impact on health care."

“I can’t think of one thing we could do more in Australia that would have a positive impact on healthcare and take some of the burden off the health system.”

She said the effects of vehicle exhaust were worse on children than adults, because their lungs were still developing.

Toxic gases are released at ground level and children are especially at risk as childcare centres and schools are often located on busy roads.

Ms Walter said children were more susceptible to smog and fumes because they had a much higher respiratory rate, a larger surface area of lungs relative to the rest of their bodies and immature defence systems that allow greater penetration of air pollutants.

A child’s shorter height also elevated their exposure as they were closer to the exhaust pipes.

She highlighted the school pick-up as an area of particular concern, as idling SUVs and diesel utes waited in sometimes long lines.

“You wouldn’t smoke a cigarette in front of children, so why would you leave your engine idling. They need to be considered in the same context,” she said.

Ms Walter said electric cars weren’t the only solution and more people needed to walk, use public transport and cycle.

Read the full article by Dom Tripolone and Richard Blackburn in the Courier Mail