We focus on four complex health issues more prevalent in urban areas
With the Social Progress Imperative, we've developed the first neighbourhood level, health-focused social progress index of its kind.
With Wellcome Trust
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Health effects of air pollution
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The more we know about air pollution in urban areas, the more we will be able to design effective solutions.
There are three main pollutants associated with poor health in inner cities:
NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide), typically in areas of high vehicle traffic. Exposure to NO2has been associated with a range of health effects including organ and neurodevelopment during pregnancy, new onset asthma in children and lung function decline in older adults.
PM2.5 or particulate matter, such as soot, smoke, dust and liquid droplets measuring less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter. These tiny particles are of particular concern to our health because they can enter the bloodstream and lodge deep in our organs.
PM10 are larger particles than PM2.5 and come from similar sources. PM of all sizes has been linked to chronic inflammation and is associated with similar health risks including lung development during pregnancy and early childhood, as well as lung function decline in older adults.
“ In our recent study, children and the elderly were the two groups most vulnerable to the effects of NOx and particulate air pollution. Already, we have hard evidence from daily GP consultations and daily prescribing data, that diesel pollutants are affecting the respiratory health of children and the elderly in Lambeth. Dr Mark Ashworth King's College London
In our recent study, children and the elderly were the two groups most vulnerable to the effects of NOx and particulate air pollution. Already, we have hard evidence from daily GP consultations and daily prescribing data, that diesel pollutants are affecting the respiratory health of children and the elderly in Lambeth.
The sources of air pollution are intrinsically linked to how we live in cities. While many people see cars and transport as the most obvious causes of air pollution, nearly 70% of particulate matter is related to the built environment such as heating of buildings, construction and traffic related to it.
Only 16% is related to how residents get around the city. This system map shows the different sources of inner-city air pollution, based on data from the London boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark.
Transboundary and other sources have been given a variable source apportionment. This is because air moves around and pollutants from these sources can vary significantly depending on irregular factors such as weather conditions. Original system mapping by Keith Cotton, CrispAir.
In Lambeth and Southwark, heating our buildings, construction and traffic related to it, are a much larger source of particulate matter (PM) air pollution than how people travel and get around the city.
Annual averages for PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 show that people in Lambeth and Southwark are exposed to more air pollution in the north of the boroughs and along the main roads.
While the boroughs are within the EU legal limits for particulate matter, NO2 currently exceeds these limits.
Pollution from particulate matter across the whole of the boroughs is above the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance, with the north of the boroughs and main roads also exceeding WHO guidance for NO2.
Each dot represents a small area (LSOA) in Lambeth and Southwark. Orange dots are above the WHO guidelines, grey dots are below them.
Predictive analysis shows that while NO2 levels are expected to improve over time due to ULEZ and other emissions regulations, PM levels are not.
As part of the groundwork for our programme, we researched air pollution awareness among people living in our inner-city area. Together with partners including Global Action Plan, Opinium and BMG Research we did:
This insight will help us develop more effective projects to address poor air quality and improve the health of local residents – particularly the vulnerable groups who are the focus of our programme.
What we found:
“ On a hot sunny day, I get a tingling throat burn I know is from diesel fumes. Especially when I sit in traffic in this area. On-street survey respondent
On a hot sunny day, I get a tingling throat burn I know is from diesel fumes. Especially when I sit in traffic in this area.
“ There used to be such a thing as getting things delivered by foot, but now daily in the square at the back of our house you can get 15 or 20 delivery vans in there – it’s constant. Participant in patient focus group
There used to be such a thing as getting things delivered by foot, but now daily in the square at the back of our house you can get 15 or 20 delivery vans in there – it’s constant.
“ I don’t know what’s the main cause, how many people are in hospital because of pollution, how it will affect me in 20 years’ time, how it will affect my kids. But if I had this information, I would start seeing things from a different perspective. Participant in families focus group
I don’t know what’s the main cause, how many people are in hospital because of pollution, how it will affect me in 20 years’ time, how it will affect my kids. But if I had this information, I would start seeing things from a different perspective.
Air pollution can affect children’s organ development from pregnancy through to early adolescence, with children living near busy roads four times more likely than adults to have reduced lung function. Yet, our local parents are more likely than other groups to think the dangers of air pollution have been exaggerated.
Air pollution is linked with heart failure, strokes, poor cognition and even lung cancer in older people over 65, with high levels of particulate matter increasing their risk of hospitalisation. Our research shows that older people are less likely to point to poor air quality as an important issue to address.
People with lung or heart conditions experience worsened symptoms from spikes in air pollution, with high levels of NO2 associated with increases in hospital admissions for asthma. In our inner-city area, those with health conditions are more likely to say that air quality has got worse.