City Hall research reveals ‘ethnic inequality’ in London’s pollution

By Noah Vickers, Local Democracy Reporter

A sharp ethnic divide has been revealed in the quality of air breathed by people in London.

New analysis contained within a City Hall-commissioned report has shown that the areas in London with the least toxic air have disproportionately high white populations, while black Londoners are more likely to live in areas with more polluted air.

Asian people in the capital are meanwhile said to be less likely to live in the most polluted areas, while those from mixed and ‘other’ backgrounds are more likely to live in them.

In addition, the report reveals stark differences in air quality between the most and least deprived areas in the capital.

Mayor Sadiq Khan said the data – which looks at concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter – strengthened the case for his planned expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

The statistics show that the areas with the lowest nitrogen dioxide concentrations are 71 per cent white and eight per cent black, while the areas with the highest concentrations are 52 per cent white and 12 per cent black.

The report, published during London Climate Action Week and authored by air quality consultants Aether, says that “exposure inequalities experienced between ethnic groups are much more pronounced in outer London than inner London”.

In outer London, the areas with the lowest nitrogen dioxide concentrations were said to comprise a 71 per cent white population, whereas in inner London, the areas with the lowest concentrations are 56 per cent white.

The data used in the report is from 2019, meaning that is before the ULEZ expanded to cover inner London – defined for the purposes of ULEZ and in the report as the area within the North and South Circular roads.

When looking at deprivation levels, the report says that the 10 per cent most deprived areas in London make up 16 per cent of the most polluted areas, and as deprivation decreases, representation in those highest polluted areas “decreases linearly”.

“Very similar results are observed across inner and outer London”, and for nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in this respect, the report states.

Responding to the report, Mr Khan said: “This new analysis shows that we are living in a divided city where poorer Londoners, black, Asian and minority ethnic Londoners, and those from immigrant backgrounds breathe more polluted air – this is simply unacceptable.

“The data shows that London’s world leading policies have helped to reduce toxic air pollution, but we need to continue with this great work to ensure that all Londoners, regardless of background, can live in a city without toxic air pollution.”

(Picture: PA)