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14/01/2004
Poorest communities suffer worst air quality, says reports
The poorest communities in Britain suffer the country's worst air pollution, according to separate research published today by Friends of the Earth and the Environment Agency (EA).
The agency said that there was a clear link between social deprivation and environmental problems, and has called on the government to address environmental inequalities alongside social and economic problems in deprived areas.
Among the worst areas affected were clusters of wards in London, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham and Liverpool. However, in Wales, although air quality is generally better, air pollution concentrations are highest in the least deprived wards.
The report was based on analysis of the government’s Index of Multiple Deprivation and three aspects of environmental quality: air quality, industrial pollution and flood risk.
Deprived areas were found to be more likely to: produce greater numbers of emissions; present a greater pollution hazard; produce more ‘offensive’ pollutants; produce higher emissions of fine particulates (PM10) and carcinogens.
In England, the most deprived wards experience the highest concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulates (PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and benzene, the agency said.
Also, new research from Friends of the Earth has revealed that people living in the England's most deprived neighbourhoods are more likely to bear the burden of pollution caused by incineration.
Half of all municipal waste incinerators in England are found in wards that are in the 10% most deprived in the country, the study claimed.
Friends of the Earth said that incinerators were an "unwelcome addition" to any area as they produce health-damaging emissions, bring in extra traffic and are a blight on communities.
Commenting on the Friends of the Earth research, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Norman Baker, said: "This is very important research. It demonstrates the clear link between environmental degradation and pollution on the one hand, and social deprivation on the other.
"If the government’s commitment to sustainable development means anything it should mean not dumping unwanted industrial waste in areas where they think they can get away with it.
"This report clearly demonstrates the need for joined up thinking across government departments and the need to put the environment at the heart of government, not out on a limb."
(gmcg)
The agency said that there was a clear link between social deprivation and environmental problems, and has called on the government to address environmental inequalities alongside social and economic problems in deprived areas.
Among the worst areas affected were clusters of wards in London, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham and Liverpool. However, in Wales, although air quality is generally better, air pollution concentrations are highest in the least deprived wards.
The report was based on analysis of the government’s Index of Multiple Deprivation and three aspects of environmental quality: air quality, industrial pollution and flood risk.
Deprived areas were found to be more likely to: produce greater numbers of emissions; present a greater pollution hazard; produce more ‘offensive’ pollutants; produce higher emissions of fine particulates (PM10) and carcinogens.
In England, the most deprived wards experience the highest concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulates (PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and benzene, the agency said.
Also, new research from Friends of the Earth has revealed that people living in the England's most deprived neighbourhoods are more likely to bear the burden of pollution caused by incineration.
Half of all municipal waste incinerators in England are found in wards that are in the 10% most deprived in the country, the study claimed.
Friends of the Earth said that incinerators were an "unwelcome addition" to any area as they produce health-damaging emissions, bring in extra traffic and are a blight on communities.
Commenting on the Friends of the Earth research, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Norman Baker, said: "This is very important research. It demonstrates the clear link between environmental degradation and pollution on the one hand, and social deprivation on the other.
"If the government’s commitment to sustainable development means anything it should mean not dumping unwanted industrial waste in areas where they think they can get away with it.
"This report clearly demonstrates the need for joined up thinking across government departments and the need to put the environment at the heart of government, not out on a limb."
(gmcg)
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