Britain’s northern air divide: Poorest residents in Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield resist 33% extra air pollution than wealthier neighbours, examine finds
A new study has laid bare Britain’s northern air divide.
Researchers from Sheffield University analysed the amount of air pollution people living in major northern cities face.
Their results revealed a huge discrepancy between the poorest and richest people in Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, and Sheffield.
Shockingly, low–income communities were found to experience 33 per cent higher levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) than their neighbours in wealthier areas.
Worryingly, research has shown that long–term exposure to high levels of NO2 can increase the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
And in extreme cases, it can even prove fatal.
‘Low–income and diverse communities in Northern English cities with a history of heavy industry face a triple burden: worse air quality, lower vegetation density and nearby greenspaces that are often located close to traffic or neglected,’ said Dr Maria Val Martin, an author of the study.
‘As well as the well–established health risks from air pollution, limited access to quality, functional green environments can also impact the mental wellbeing of people who rely on these areas for recreation.’
Low–income communities were found to experience 33 per cent higher levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) than their neighbours in wealthier areas. Pictured: NO2 levels across Liverpool
The results revealed a huge discrepancy between the poorest and richest people in Liverpool, Leeds (pictured), Manchester, Newcastle, and Sheffield
Several previous studies have explored the inequalities in air pollution exposure in the UK.
‘With over 80% of the UK population living in urban areas, recent studies have highlighted persistent social and spatial inequalities in air pollution exposure, with disproportionately high concentrations found in more deprived and racially diverse communities,’ the team explained in their study, published the Journal of Environmental Management.
However, in their new study, the team decided to hone in on 10 northern English cities – Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, Carlisle, Chester, Durham, Lincoln, and Scarborough.
In each city, the researchers analysed the NO2 levels across the region, based on 2019 data.
Their air quality readings revealed stark differences between areas home to low–income and ethnically diverse communities than those with wealthier residents.
In Leeds and Sheffield, NO2 levels were over 40 per cent higher in low–income and ethnically diverse neighbourhoods compared to more affluent areas.
This is almost three times the national average disparity of 15 per cent between low–income, ethnically diverse communities and wealthier urban areas.
However, the disparity was found to be far less pronounced in regional cities with rural legacies.
The disparity was found to be far less pronounced in regional cities with rural legacies. Pictured: NO2 levels across Lincoln
In Durham (stock image pictured) and Scarborough, the inequalities were weak or entirely absent
For example, in Durham and Scarborough, the inequalities were weak or entirely absent.
‘During the industrial revolution, housing for workers was built very close to factories and major transport routes and we are still seeing the impact of that today,’ Dr Val Martin added.
‘Lower income and ethnically diverse communities remain disproportionately concentrated in high traffic areas with limited or degraded greenspace.
‘While measures such as planting trees and improving green spaces are very important, it is not a silver bullet to tackle this deep–seated environmental injustice.’
Worryingly, previous research has shown ample evidence that NO2 is harmful to human health.
‘The most common outcomes are respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath and cough,’ London Air explains on its website.
‘Nitrogen dioxide inflames the lining of the lung and reduces immunity to lung infections such as bronchitis.
‘Studies also suggest that the health effects are more pronounced in people with asthma compared to healthly individuals.’
Based on the findings, the researchers are calling for a shift away from a ‘one–size–fits all’ approach to urban planning.
Instead, they suggest town planners should focus on specific actions based on the history, layout and demographics of a city.
In the major cities where the disparity is most pronounced, this includes clean air zones, active travel neighbourhoods, vegetated barriers and ‘green walls’, as well as restoring neglected parks and green spaces.
The researchers now hope to conduct similar studies in southern England to understand whether these environmental disparities reflect a national trend.
Revealed: MailOnline dissects the impact greenhouse gases have on the planet – and what is being done to stop air pollution
Emissions
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the biggest contributors to global warming. After the gas is released into the atmosphere it stays there, making it difficult for heat to escape – and warming up the planet in the process.
It is primarily released from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, as well as cement production.
The average monthly concentration of CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere, as of April 2019, is 413 parts per million (ppm). Before the Industrial Revolution, the concentration was just 280 ppm.
CO2 concentration has fluctuated over the last 800,000 years between 180 to 280ppm, but has been vastly accelerated by pollution caused by humans.
Nitrogen dioxide
The gas nitrogen dioxide (NO2) comes from burning fossil fuels, car exhaust emissions and the use of nitrogen-based fertilisers used in agriculture.
Although there is far less NO2 in the atmosphere than CO2, it is between 200 and 300 times more effective at trapping heat.
Sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) also primarily comes from fossil fuel burning, but can also be released from car exhausts.
SO2 can react with water, oxygen and other chemicals in the atmosphere to cause acid rain.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an indirect greenhouse gas as it reacts with hydroxyl radicals, removing them. Hydroxyl radicals reduce the lifetime of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Particulates
What is particulate matter?
Particulate matter refers to tiny parts of solids or liquid materials in the air.
Some are visible, such as dust, whereas others cannot be seen by the naked eye.
Materials such as metals, microplastics, soil and chemicals can be in particulate matter.
Particulate matter (or PM) is described in micrometres. The two main ones mentioned in reports and studies are PM10 (less than 10 micrometres) and PM2.5 (less than 2.5 micrometres).
Air pollution comes from burning fossil fuels, cars, cement making and agriculture
Scientists measure the rate of particulates in the air by cubic metre.
Particulate matter is sent into the air by a number of processes including burning fossil fuels, driving cars and steel making.
Why are particulates dangerous?
Particulates are dangerous because those less than 10 micrometres in diameter can get deep into your lungs, or even pass into your bloodstream. Particulates are found in higher concentrations in urban areas, particularly along main roads.
Health impact
What sort of health problems can pollution cause?
According to the World Health Organization, a third of deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease can be linked to air pollution.
Some of the effects of air pollution on the body are not understood, but pollution may increase inflammation which narrows the arteries leading to heart attacks or strokes.
As well as this, almost one in 10 lung cancer cases in the UK are caused by air pollution.
Particulates find their way into the lungs and get lodged there, causing inflammation and damage. As well as this, some chemicals in particulates that make their way into the body can cause cancer.
Deaths from pollution
Around seven million people die prematurely because of air pollution every year. Pollution can cause a number of issues including asthma attacks, strokes, various cancers and cardiovascular problems.
Asthma triggers
Air pollution can cause problems for asthma sufferers for a number of reasons. Pollutants in traffic fumes can irritate the airways, and particulates can get into your lungs and throat and make these areas inflamed.
Problems in pregnancy
Women exposed to air pollution before getting pregnant are nearly 20 per cent more likely to have babies with birth defects, research suggested in January 2018.
Living within 3.1 miles (5km) of a highly-polluted area one month before conceiving makes women more likely to give birth to babies with defects such as cleft palates or lips, a study by University of Cincinnati found.
For every 0.01mg/m3 increase in fine air particles, birth defects rise by 19 per cent, the research adds.
Previous research suggests this causes birth defects as a result of women suffering inflammation and ‘internal stress’.
What is being done to tackle air pollution?
Paris agreement on climate change
The Paris Agreement, which was first signed in 2015, is an international agreement to control and limit climate change.
It hopes to hold the increase in the global average temperature to below 2°C (3.6ºF) ‘and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C (2.7°F)’.
Carbon neutral by 2050
The UK government has announced plans to make the country carbon neutral by 2050.
They plan to do this by planting more trees and by installing ‘carbon capture’ technology at the source of the pollution.
Some critics are worried that this first option will be used by the government to export its carbon offsetting to other countries.
International carbon credits let nations continue emitting carbon while paying for trees to be planted elsewhere, balancing out their emissions.
No new petrol or diesel vehicles by 2040
In 2017, the UK government announced the sale of new petrol and diesel cars would be banned by 2040.
However, MPs on the climate change committee have urged the government to bring the ban forward to 2030, as by then they will have an equivalent range and price.
The Paris Agreement, which was first signed in 2015, is an international agreement to control and limit climate change. Pictured: air pollution over Paris in 2019.
Norway’s electric car subsidies
The speedy electrification of Norway’s automotive fleet is attributed mainly to generous state subsidies. Electric cars are almost entirely exempt from the heavy taxes imposed on petrol and diesel cars, which makes them competitively priced.
A VW Golf with a standard combustion engine costs nearly 334,000 kroner (34,500 euros, $38,600), while its electric cousin the e-Golf costs 326,000 kroner thanks to a lower tax quotient.
Criticisms of inaction on climate change
The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has said there is a ‘shocking’ lack of Government preparation for the risks to the country from climate change.
The committee assessed 33 areas where the risks of climate change had to be addressed – from flood resilience of properties to impacts on farmland and supply chains – and found no real progress in any of them.
The UK is not prepared for 2°C of warming, the level at which countries have pledged to curb temperature rises, let alone a 4°C rise, which is possible if greenhouse gases are not cut globally, the committee said.
It added that cities need more green spaces to stop the urban ‘heat island’ effect, and to prevent floods by soaking up heavy rainfall.
