Burnham urged to launch inquiry into unequal health impacts of air pollution

A group of 150 scientists, Members of Parliament, and activists have collectively urged the government to initiate a public inquiry into the unequal health impacts of air pollution across England. Their call for action specifically highlights the disproportionate burden faced by lower-income and minority-ethnic communities, who are often exposed to higher levels of air pollution compared to more affluent areas. This plea is supported by research conducted by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, which consistently demonstrates that economically disadvantaged regions throughout England experience persistently elevated levels of air pollution. The advocates argue that such an inquiry is crucial to understand the systemic issues contributing to these disparities and to develop targeted interventions that protect vulnerable populations from the adverse health effects associated with poor air quality. This initiative underscores a growing concern about environmental justice and the need for policy changes that address health inequalities rooted in socio-economic factors.