Population-Level Exposure to PM_2.5, NO₂, Greenness (NDVI), Accessible Greenspace, Road Noise, and Rail Noise in England

Abstract

Air pollution, greenspace and noise are interrelated environmental factors with the potential to influence human health outcomes. Research has measured these exposures in diverse ways across the globe, but no study has yet performed a country-wide analysis of air pollution, greenspace, and noise in England. This study examined cross-sectional PM2.5, NO2, greenness, accessible greenspace, road noise, and rail noise exposure data at all residential postcodes in England (n = 1,227,681). Restricted cubic spline models were fitted between each environmental exposure and a measure of socioeconomic status, the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) rank. Population-weighted exposures by IMD deciles, urbanicity, and region were subsequently estimated. Restricted cubic spline models were also fitted between greenness and each other environmental exposure in the study. The results show some evidence of inequalities in exposure to air pollutants, greenspace, and noise across England. Notably, there is a socioeconomic gradient in greenness, NO2, PM2.5, and road noise in London. In addition, NO2, PM2.5, and road noise exposure decrease as greenness increases in urban areas. Concerningly, almost all air pollution estimates in our study exceed international health guidelines. Further research is needed to elucidate the socioeconomic patterns and health impacts of air pollution, greenspace, and noise over time.

Keywords

• air pollution
• greenspace
• noise
• environmental exposure
• environmental inequality