Residents in the east end of Newcastle are living with higher levels of air pollution than their neighbours in other parts, official government estimates show.
Breathing in dirty air can increase the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease and lung cancer, and concern over these health risks has prompted many cityies across the UK to introduce or plan low emission zones.
Earlier this year, Newcastle and Gateshead introduced a clean air zone, charging those driving high polluting vehicles in the city centre or across the bridges.
The Indices of Multiple Deprivation, published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, measures local deprivation levels by analysing various factors affecting communities, such as income, health, crime and pollution levels.
The pollution data, published in 2019, estimates the concentration of four pollutants – nitrogen dioxide, benzene, sulphur dioxide and particulates – all of which can cause ill health. The higher the score, the higher the levels of air pollution in the local area. The figures show wide geographical variation in how clean the air is around the country.
But in Newcastle, there are vast disparities between neighbourhoods.
Thockley & Newburn have the lowest levels of air pollution in Newcastle, closely followed by Kingston Park & Dinnington and- perhaps surpirisngly- Airport & Woolsington.
However, which areas have the highest levels of air pollution?
1. Shieldfield & Heaton Park
The Shieldfield and Heaton Park area had the worst air pollution in the area, with a score of 1.02- well above the national average. (Image: Google Maps)
2. City Centre & Arthur’s Hill
Joint second was the City Centre and Arthur’s Hill, with a score of 0.95 and...
3. South Jesmond & Sandyford
South Jesmond and Sandyford also had an air pollution score of 0.95, placing the City Centre, Arthur’s Hill, South Jesmond and Sandyford all well above the national average. (Google Maps)
4. Heaton South & Byker North
The final area in Newcastle to be above the national average for air pollution is Heaton South and Byker North- also with a score of 0.95. (Google Maps)