Harmful levels of indoor air pollution have been discovered in UK homes, with families from deprived areas and ethnic minority backgrounds facing the highest levels of exposure. This is according to a new study from the University of York’s INGENIOUS research programme. The findings indicate that high concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were present in the homes of 309 families participating in the long-term Born in Bradford health study, with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines exceeded on 41% of all monitored days.
The study, one of the largest and most detailed indoor air quality investigations in the UK, reveals that air pollutant concentrations in homes may contribute to a series of potentially devastating health conditions. PM2.5 is regarded as a major contributor to premature deaths worldwide and is linked to a wide range of serious health concerns, including cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes, respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and potentially dementia and diabetes.
Health Implications and Policy Urgency
The new research underscores the urgent need for policy action, with the INGENIOUS team urging the government to address this frequently overlooked health risk. A consortium of partner universities and institutions, led by the University of York, includes representatives from the universities of Cambridge, Manchester, and Sheffield, as well as the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and Born in Bradford (BiB), supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The group advocates for a national public awareness campaign to promote cleaner air measures and technologies while addressing the underlying socioeconomic inequalities contributing to high indoor air pollution. INGENIOUS Project Lead, Professor Nicola Carslaw from the University of York, emphasized the need for a holistic approach: “This research highlights disparities in exposure to common indoor air pollutants. It highlights the need for a more holistic approach to developing policies that mitigate exposure to air pollution. We must develop policies that address air pollution from all angles, both inside and outside our homes, to better protect all households.”
Disparities in Exposure
Born in Bradford Principal Research Fellow Rachael Cheung, who co-authored the paper, explained that the impact on communities in Bradford was uneven, with some people more at risk than others. “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,” she said.
INGENIOUS aims to deepen understanding of how the composition and concentration of indoor air pollutants vary and how this exposure affects people in their homes, focusing on homes in the city of Bradford. The research could be transformative for families, according to Born in Bradford Director, Professor Rosie McEachan. “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,” she explained.
Alarming Statistics and Findings
The study, published in BMC Public Health, found significant differences in PM2.5 levels between ethnic groups, with South Asian homes having higher daily average concentrations than homes of White British and other ethnic groups. Homes in more deprived regions had higher daily average PM2.5 concentrations than those in less deprived regions within the city. Higher PM2.5 levels were also discovered in rented homes compared to owned homes, and in households where residents smoked, where homes were either terraced or semi-detached, and in homes with a gas stove.
- South Asian homes had higher PM2.5 levels than White British and other ethnic groups.
- Deprived regions showed higher PM2.5 concentrations than less deprived areas.
- Rented homes exhibited higher PM2.5 levels compared to owned homes.
- Households with smokers, terraced or semi-detached homes, and gas stoves had elevated PM2.5 levels.
Next Steps and Broader Implications
The INGENIOUS research team, comprising experts from various UK universities and institutions, aims to continue investigating indoor air quality and its health impacts. The findings of this study may prompt further research and policy development to address these disparities and improve indoor air quality across the UK.
As awareness of indoor air pollution grows, the hope is that government bodies and communities will take proactive steps to mitigate these risks, ensuring healthier living environments for all families, regardless of socioeconomic status or ethnicity.
For more information, the research team includes Lia Chatzidiakou at the University of Cambridge, Tiffany C. Yang from Born in Bradford, Simon P. O’Meara, Gordon McFiggans, and Yunqi Shao at the University of Manchester, Denisa Genes and Chantelle Wood from the University of Sheffield, and Yunqi Shao, Athina Ruangkani, Thomas Warburton, Ashish Kumar, Sri Hapsari Budisulistiorini, Jacqueline F. Hamilton, and David Shaw from the University of York.
