Experts say pollution from vehicles at peak traffic times in Tinsley is so bad that pollution inhaled by pedestrians is equivalent to virtually chain-smoking.
Tinsley is number nine in a top 10 list of polluted places in the UK, according to new air quality research. Tinsley's position in the list is equal to parts of London.
The area between Sheffield and Rotherham is particularly susceptible to pollution from vehicles because of its proximity to the M1 and the busy Tinsley Viaduct.
CalorGas, which produces liquified petroleum gas, tested 30 locations and looked at nitrogen oxides in vehicle exhausts.
The calculations were based on the intake of pollutants by a smoker of a well known 'light' brand of cigarette.
The figures were averaged out over 24 hours but at peak traffic times pedestrians would be virtually chain smoking.
Andrew Ford of Calor said: "Traffic pollution isn't an abstract problem, it affects human health and quality of life."
Calor is using the research to try to persuade the Government to provide incentives for cleaner fuels and to encourage local authorities to run council vehicles on gas.
The figures were based on air and traffic pollution, rather than industrial emissions.
Ironically, it's smaller places like Oxford, Bath and Bristol which make the list rather than big cities.
Norwich was the best place to live out of the 30 tested.
The nitrogen oxides in pollution cause respiratory disorders and asthma.
An estimated 24,000 premature deaths in the UK each year are attributed to poor air quality.
Health experts in the city are already taking steps to combat the problem in Tinsley.
The South Yorkshire air quality partnership, Care4Air, has brought together residents, community groups, councillors, local businesses, schools and health experts to tackle pollution.
Former Goodie Bill Oddie, now a green campaigner, has also given his support to the Care4Air initiative.
Bill visited Tinsley earlier this year where the project was launched, with local people setting up a network of small air pollution monitors.
The monitoring idea is now being spread to other Sheffield suburbs, including Sharrow and Wincobank.
He said: "Care4Air has got ordinary people involved in an issue which is very important for their communities."

FACTFILE
n Top 10 polluted places - the cigarette equivalent:

1 Oxford: 61
2 Bath: 46
3 Glasgow: 44
4 London, Marylebone
Road: 30
5 London, King's Road: 29
6 Exeter: 27
7 London, Hammersmith
Broadway: 27
8 Bristol: 27
9 Tinsley: 27
10 London, Brent: 26