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Air quality 'linked to poverty'
A LARGE area of Sheffield and parts of Doncaster, Hatfield and Mosborough are suffering the worst environmental conditions in South Yorkshire, a study has found.
Research carried out by experts at Staffordshire University on behalf of the Environment Agency found the poorest areas in South Yorkshire were more likely to have the worst environments.
Special software known as Geographic Information Systems was used to locate and calculate the environmental quality of every household in South Yorkshire.
The results show that the most deprived populations – those who live in the poorest 10 per cent of areas – are:
nTwo to three times more likely to be living near a waste or landfill site than the rest of outh Yorkshire.
nMost likely to be living near more than one waste site.
nMost likely to be living near non-active landfill sites.
nMost likely to be living near a pollution inventory site with airborne emissions – such as a factory, smelter or foundry.
nMost likely to live where air quality for nitrogen dioxide and particulates is poorest – usually areas with heavy traffic.
nDisproportionally living in areas with the very worst air quality.
In marked contrast, the least deprived populations in South Yorkshire are most likely to be living near to woodlands or a nature reserve.
Jon Fairburn, senior lecturer who led the research, said: "We hope these findings will be used to address the inequalities and to help improve the quality of life for large numbers of people."
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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