Air quality and social deprivation in four French metropolitan areas—A localized spatio-temporal environmental inequality analysis

Abstract

Several studies have documented that more deprived populations tend to live in areas characterized by higher levels of environmental pollution. Yet, time trends and geographic patterns of this disproportionate distribution of environmental burden remain poorly assessed, especially in Europe. We investigated the spatial and temporal relationship between ambient air nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations and socioeconomic and demographic data in four French Metropolitan Areas (Lille in the north, Lyon in the center, Marseille in the south, and Paris) during two different time periods. The geographical unit used was the census block. The dependent variable was the NO2 annual average concentration (µg/m3) per census block, and the explanatory variables were a neighborhood deprivation index and socioeconomic and demographic data derived from the national census. Generalized additive models were used to account for spatial autocorrelation. We found that the strength and direction of the association between deprivation and NO2 estimates varied between cities. In Paris, census blocks with the higher social categories are exposed to higher mean concentrations of NO2. However, in Lille and Marseille, the most deprived census blocks are the most exposed to NO2. In Lyon, the census blocks in the middle social categories were more likely to have higher concentrations than in the lower social categories. Despite a general reduction in NO2 concentrations over the study period in the four metropolitan areas, we found contrasting results in the temporal trend of environmental inequalities. There is clear evidence of city-specific spatial and temporal environmental inequalities that relate to the historical socioeconomic make-up of the cities and its evolution. Hence, general statements about environmental and social inequalities may not properly characterize situations where people of higher social status find the benefits of living in a specific city outweigh the detriment of higher pollution.

Is atmospheric pollution exposure during pregnancy associated with individual and contextual characteristics? A nationwide study in France

“…In Europe, patterns of association are more variable between areas9: higher exposure to air pollutants has been reported among populations with intermediate social deprivation in some areas,10 while in other areas exposure was higher among the most socially deprived population 11. In France, Padilla et al showed that socioeconomic predictors of NO 2 levels varied between cities 12. The explanation for such differences between the USA and Europe may be linked to social segregation being lower and urban design being more diverse across metropolitan areas in Europe, compared with the USA 9.…”

Fatores de risco para mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares associados à alta exposição ao tráfego veicular

“…On the other hand, this relation might be associated with the fact that people of poor socioeconomic conditions might be exposed to a higher number of risk factors. Income inequality is connected to several social inequalities, such as low educational levels, poor households, preexisting morbidities, difficulty regarding health services access, as well as higher exposure to the most different environmental and occupational risks 22,23 . Some authors also believe that people with lower purchasing power tend to have more difficulties in modifying their risk behaviors, such as stopping smoking, enhancing their diet, and working out more, which could raise the expectation for cardiovascular diseases 21,24 .…”

“…Padilla et al 23,39 and Jerrett et al 40,41 have used spatial analysis techniques to find priority areas of intervention and to test the efficiency of policy measures taken regarding the effects of urban air pollution. They discuss that air pollution might create or enhance socioeconomic inequalities regarding many diseases, including cancer, asthma, and CD 39,42 .…”

Air Pollution Inequality and Its Sources in SO2 and NOX Emissions among Chinese Provinces from 2006 to 2015

“…Dong et al [27] mentioned that SO 2 emission is unequally exposed in the different regions in China due to the uneven evolution of industrial activities. The NO X emission pattern is a well-known pollutant proxy used in studies because it is mostly caused by traffic and urbanization, although people in different social classes or groups are exposed to it unequally [11,12,25,[28][29][30]. Gu et al [31] found the regional disparity in NO X emission trend in China was that less-developed provinces suffer more growth rate of NO X emission than rich provinces due to the lack of strict environmental regulation to control emission in the less-developed provinces.…”

“…Air pollution inequality is rising across regions in China, and the more heavily polluted regions suffer more health damage [4]. To parallel recent studies on examining air pollution inequality in the US [5][6][7][8] and Europe [9][10][11][12], it is important to bring the equal opportunity for people to have the healthy and clean environment [7]. Therefore, it is worthy to investigate emission disparities in China regions and what trends have occurred in air pollution inequality in recent years.…”