A University of York study shows families in the UK’s poorest areas and in vulnerable housing face the country’s worst levels of indoor air pollution.
To conduct the study, researchers analysed indoor air quality in 309 households taking part in the Born in Bradford long-term health study. Findings show that PM2.5 levels exceeded World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on 41% of recorded days.
The study sits within the INGENIOUS project, a large collaborative investigation into indoor environments involving researchers from York, Cambridge, Manchester, Sheffield, the Stockholm Environment Institute and Born in Bradford.
‘This research highlights disparities in exposure to common indoor air pollutants,’ Professor Nicola Carslaw, INGENIOUS project lead at the University of York, said. ‘We must develop policies that address air pollution from all angles, both inside and outside our homes, to better protect all households.’
According to the research, rented homes, older terraced and semi-detached properties and houses where gas stoves were used all recorded significantly higher pollution readings. What’s more, homes where residents smoked were particularly affected.
Pollution levels were also higher in the most deprived areas of Bradford, where residents are more likely to live in smaller, overcrowded or poorly ventilated housing.
South Asian households recorded higher average daily PM2.5 levels than White British households, reflecting broader inequalities in housing and neighbourhood conditions.
Rachael Cheung, Principal Research Fellow at Born in Bradford, said: ‘Our research indicates that indoor air quality isn’t as good as we might hope, and that it affects some communities more than others.
‘Since people tend to spend most of their time indoors, this could pose a serious, yet often overlooked, health risk.’
Professor Rosie McEachan, Director of Born in Bradford, said the findings highlight a clear housing health crisis.
‘The levels of pollution that families are exposed to every day indoors are alarming. Pollution is a major cause of respiratory illness in the UK, and our findings suggest that if we can clean up the air inside our homes, we can dramatically improve the health of families,’ Professor McEachan, added.
The INGENIOUS team is urging the government to launch a national public awareness campaign and strengthen housing and environmental standards to reduce indoor pollution, particularly in communities most at risk.
The research can be read in full here.
Photo: Tanvir Himel/UnSplash
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