A new study from the University of Sheffield has uncovered significant disparities in air pollution exposure between low-income and wealthier communities in major northern English cities. Researchers found that residents in deprived areas of Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, and Sheffield face up to 33% higher levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) than their more affluent neighbours.
The study, published in the Journal of Environmental Management, analysed 2019 NO2 data across ten northern cities, including Carlisle, Chester, Durham, Lincoln, and Scarborough. In Leeds and Sheffield, the inequality was even more pronounced, with NO2 levels over 40% higher in low-income and ethnically diverse neighbourhoods compared to wealthier areas—nearly three times the national average disparity of 15%.
Dr Maria Val Martin, lead author, highlighted the triple burden faced by these communities: worse air quality, lower vegetation density, and neglected green spaces. 'Low-income and diverse communities in Northern English cities with a history of heavy industry face a triple burden,' she said, noting that limited access to quality green environments can also impact mental wellbeing.
The study found that inequalities were less pronounced in cities with rural legacies, such as Durham and Scarborough, where disparities were weak or absent. Dr Val Martin attributed the persistent divide to historical planning, with worker housing built close to factories and transport routes during the industrial revolution.
Long-term exposure to NO2 is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including bronchitis and reduced lung immunity. The researchers stress that while improving green spaces is important, it is not a 'silver bullet' to address this deep-seated environmental injustice.
