Air (pm2.5)
29.05
We analysed the average particulate matter (PM 2.5 µg/m3) from the top 10% (35 days) worst days in a year. Reporting the average of the worst days (spikes) rather than the annual average creates a more accurate health risk narrative, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Learn moreSummer Heat (°C)
32.40
We analysed the average temperatures of the top 10% (35 days) hottest summer days in a year that experienced heatwaves. This is to capture the changing weather in cities, which are creating longer and more acute heat waves, which present a risk to health. Annual averages include colder days and can hide dangerous days of temperature spikes.
Learn moreNight Light (radiance)
59.44
We analysed the annual average light pollution based on the night emissions recorded by satellite because they are sustained and prominent sources of light that are well documented. In the case of light, the annual average is an accurate health risk narrative as spikes in light are rare.
Learn moreNoise (Decibel)
63.95
We analysed the annual average noise pollution based on the road, rail, and plane data because they are sustained and prominent sources of noise that are well modeled. In the case of noise, the annual average is an accurate health risk narrative as spikes in noise pollution fluctuate rapidly, exposure can be more controlled, and the risk to health happens on a long temporal scale.
Learn moreDeprivation (IMD)
3.00
Indices of multiple deprivation are widely-used datasets within the UK to classify the relative deprivation of small areas. Multiple components of deprivation are weighted with different strengths and compiled into a single score of deprivation. For the purposes of Right to Know, deprivation is a proxy to exposure of psychosocial stressors from urbanisation. The geographic boundary for IMD is scored by LSOA, where the 32,844 regions are put into a decile ranking system that we have used here for Right to Know.
Learn moreLow
Medium
High
Key:
Learn more about the different factors below.
Air (pm2.5)
Right to Know Grade: High
Raw score: 29.05 µg/m³ PM2.5
What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution is the presence of particles and gases.
How does air pollution link to health outcomes?
Air pollution particles are small enough to travel through our blood stream, which means it can affect all of our organs and bodily systems. This can contribute to the development of strokes, asthma, period disruption, miscarriages, certain cancers, dementia, diabetes, obesity, depression, and anxiety.
What is PM2.5?
We used PM 2.5 μg/m3, which is one of the most common units of measurement for air pollution. These particles are very small, they are 30 times smaller than the average human hair diameter in one cubic meter of air.
How did we measure air pollution?
We analysed the average particulate matter (PM 2.5) from the top 10% (35 days) worst days in a year. Reporting the average of the worst days (spikes) rather than the annual average creates a more accurate health risk narrative, particularly for vulnerable populations. In other words, annual averages can hide days where AP is high and, in turn, hide potential risks to health. This could mean an area with a “low” annual average may still have many days with spikes that pose a risk to health.
Where did we get the data?
The data analyzed is from the Copernicus Atmosphere Data Store; a median ensemble of 9 different air quality forecasting systems across Europe. Due to the scale of the original global data, the values reported for a postcode are averages that include parts of the surrounding 7 km area. It is possible that roadside PM 2.5 will record higher values in certain areas such as central London and other cities that face high levels of congestion.
How much air pollution is safe?
There are no safe levels of air pollution.
What causes air pollution?
Largely it's construction, fires and cooking with poor ventilation, industrial sites, vehicle exhaust and brakes.
What does a high/medium/low grade mean?
A high grade means the area has enough air pollution peaks during the year that could put the general population at risk of serious long term poor health outcomes.
A medium grade means the area has enough air pollution peaks during the year that could put people at risk of poor health outcomes. Of special concern are those with chronic health issues, children, and elderly.
A low grade means the area has peak levels of fine particulate matter that are around the global WHO targets. Important to note that these levels can still cause poor health outcomes.
Summer Heat (°C)
Right to Know Grade: High
Raw score: 32.40°C
What is heat pollution?
Heat (or thermal) pollution is the presence of waste heat that unnaturally changes the resulting temperature of an environment.
How much heat pollution is safe?
On average our bodies can comfortably adapt up to 25 degree celsius. More than 30 degrees is considered a danger to health.
How does heat pollution link to health outcomes?
The biggest risk of heat pollution is a sustained elevated heart rate, This can contribute to developing heat stroke and other cardiovascular issues. We will all react differently to heat given our age, current health conditions, how much we are exposed, and what activities we are doing. However, as temperatures continue to rise for sustained periods of time, it will become harder to adapt.
What is celsius?
Celsius (c), based on the freezing and boiling point of water.
How did we measure extreme heat?
We analysed the average temperatures of the top 10% (35 days) hottest summer days in a year that experienced heatwaves. Annual averages include colder days and can hide longer and acute temperature spikes where certain populations can experience the worst effects of heatwaves, thus presenting a more accurate health risk narrative. This could mean an area with a “low” annual average may still have many days with spikes that pose a risk to health.
How did we collect the data?
Temperature data was downloaded from the Met Office. We used heatwave temperature as opposed to the urban heat island data as heatwave data is more relevant to biological phenomena.
What causes heat pollution?
Building density, material of the environment, vehicles, industrial heat waste into water or air.
What does a high/medium/low grade mean?
A high grade means the area has a high occurance of days that peak to temperatures that what we can struggle to comfortably adapt to. This can cause long term poor health outcomes or risk death.
A medium grade means the area has a medium occurance of days that peak to temperatures that what we can struggle to comfortably adapt to. This can cause long term poor health outcomes or risk death.
A low grade means the area has a low occurance of days that peak to temperatures that what we can struggle to comfortably adapt to. Whilst the low occurrence can lower risk, for those with long standing poor health outcomes, there is still a high risk of death, increased symptomology of existing conditions, or hospitalisation.
Night Light (radiance)
Right to Know Grade: Medium
Raw score: 59.44
What is Light Pollution?
Light pollution is the artificially produced light, particularly in urban environments at night. We should ideally have as little harsh artificial light as we can manage when light isn’t naturally expected.
How does light pollution link to health outcomes?
While we use natural light to form our circadian rhythm around day and night, strong or sustained artificial light disrupts this process. This can put people at risk for chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, breast cancer, sleep deprivation, anxiety, cardiovascular disorders, and hormonal disruption.
What is radiance?
Radiance (10-9W/cm2*sr), based on the radiant energy emitted, reflected, transmitted or received by a surface per solid angle over an area.
How did we measure light pollution?
We analysed the annual average light pollution based on the night emissions recorded by satellite because they are sustained and prominent sources of light that are well documented. In the case of light, the annual average is an accurate health risk narrative as spikes in light are rare, exposure can be more controlled, and the risk to health happens on a long temporal scale.
How did we get the data?
The data analysed came from the Suomi NPP Satellite through an annual time series of global VIIRS night-time lights produced from monthly cloud-free average spectral radiance grids.
How much light pollution is safe?
Little to moderate as short term exposure isn’t dangerous while light strength, distance, and personal conditions may contribute to negative effects.
What causes light pollution?
Sustained artificial lighting at night from vehicles, street lighting, internal and external building lighting, aviation, construction sites, and personal devices.
What does a high/medium/low grade mean?
A high garde means this area experiences high levels of exposure to light pollution. It can disrupt circadian rhythm with noticeable effects on development, restoration, and quality of sleep if you don’t have the ability to block the source.
A medium grade means this area experiences moderate levels of artificial light at night which can be easy to mitigate with the ability to block the source. Therefore, its effects on the circadian rhythm will be limited.
A low garde means this area experiences very little artificial light at night to disturb local sleep patterns.
Noise (Decibel)
Right to Know Grade: Medium
Raw score: 63.95 decibels
What is Noise Pollution?
Noise pollution is the continued and damaging presence of unwanted sound in high and sustained quantities.
How does noise pollution link to health outcomes?
Longer-lasting noise activates the stress response releasing several hormones such as cortisol. Noise pollution has also been associated with elevated heart rate and it can also be a psychological annoyance. With sustained exposure noise pollution has been linked to obesity, anxiety, and depression.
What are decibels?
Decibels (dB) unit of measurement of loudness of sounds.
How did we measure noise pollution?
We analysed the annual average noise pollution based on the road, rail, and plane data because they are sustained and prominent sources of noise that are well modeled. In the case of noise, the annual average is an accurate health risk narrative as spikes in noise pollution fluctuate rapidly, exposure can be more controlled, and the risk to health happens on a long temporal scale.
How did we get the data?
The data analysed came from a-weighted road and rail noise models commissioned by the respective nations as well as London airport data to create a more accurate representation. The road and rail map data used reflects the day, evening, and night values, where the late and early values are weighted more for being outside of regular daily activity times.
How much noise pollution is safe?
It is recommended by various health and safety organisations that daily or weekly exposure of 70dB or lower is considered safe. However, for those who are neurodiverse or have sensorial sensitivities these levels of noise (unwanted sound) can still be a cause of psychological stress.
What causes noise pollution?
Construction, road work, vehicle and air traffic, sound systems, and human activity.
What does a high/medium/low greade mean?
A high grade means this area presents sustained exposure to unsafe decibels of noise. This can cause disturbances to sleep patterns and can make people feel constant discomfort or stress.
A medium grade means this area presents a moderate exposure to unsafe decibels of noise. It can go in and out or come in varied peaks.
A low grade means this area presents a low exposure to unsafe decibels of noise. It can still happen sporadically but it is not considered sustained or acute.
Deprivation (IMD)
Right to Know Grade: High
Raw score: 3.00 (IMD Decile)
What is deprivation?
Deprivation refers to the lack of resources to sustain the diet, lifestyle, activities and amenities that an individual or group expects in relation to their particular society.
How did we measure deprivation?
Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), a relative score combining reported income, employment, education, health, crime, barriers to housing and services, living environment. The IMD is a tool developed by the Office of National Statistics. The postcode entered links to the LSOA region its co-ordinates are found within. You may find that it may not be reflective of your personal experience but is a measurement tool used by the ONS for comparison across the UK.
How does deprivation link health outcomes?
The experience of deprivation can be the root of psychosocial stressors, which activate the stress response. With long term exposure, this can be linked to a wide array of mental and physical disorders. Ranging from depression to obesity.
What causes deprivation?
Income inequity that is rooted in the dicrimination and marginalisation of certain demographics. This can be the trans community, those racialised as Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour.
What does a high/medium/low grade mean?
A high grade means this area has a relative lack of basic resources to sustain a healthy lifestyle compared to the rest of the nation.
A medium grade means this area has a relatively average level of resources to pursue a healthy lifestyle relative to the rest of the nation.
A low score means this area has the necessary social resources to live in a mentally and physically safe environment compared to the rest of the nation.