A DOCUMENTARY has shed light on the behind the scenes work into air pollution in Bradford's hospitals.

Filmed and directed by Pishdaad Modaressi Chahardehi, it shows how scientists are closely studying the effects of air pollution on our children and unborn babies as well as the new push to change the district's habits.

Born In Bradford focuses on the "invisible threat" facing the city and the health researchers working in the labs at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Just seven minutes long, it is hoped people will be left with the urge to change their habits for future generations.

Approximately 64,000 people die in the UK prematurely die every year because of poor air quality.

Scientists have been exploring the impact of toxic air on children and unborn babies, measuring the levels of air pollutions around addresses of mums-to-be.

Researchers found "clear links" between higher pollution and the head circumference and birth weight of babies - two "key factors" for living a healthy life, Born In Bradford director Rosie Mcheachen said.

In the film, the documentary maker speaks to two young boys Uzair, 5, and Haziq, 3 and an asthma sufferer.

Haziq was premature by a couple of weeks and weighed 4lb 2oz - he was diagnosed with asthma aged two.

25 per cent of asthma cases in the city can be attributed to air pollution.

Professor John Wright said the findings of Born In Bradford had been a "wake up call" for him.

Like most young men, he loved cars and bought his first one as a junior doctor. He has since switched to cycling and sold his car.

In a further bid to tackle the problem before it's too late, Shahid Islam, a senior research fellow. is one of those on the project going into schools to educate the next generation.

He showed pupils at St Stephen's Primary School how to measure air pollution so they could visibly see how high it is.

Pupils then began expressing dreams of campaigning for better air quality in their area.

"We have seen how the lockdown has made people appreciate the improved air quality, we can keep that going in the right direction if more and more people take up active travel," Mr Islam said.

While the documentary director said: "Everything we do in this city is going to impact someone else. I hope people start thinking more about the effects of their behaviour.

"I hope anyone who is doing anything in the city think about it first to see how it affects the people around them."

To watch search for 'Born In Bradford' by Anarchy Cinema.