JSNA – Planet – Pollution

Last Updated: May 2024

Air and Noise Pollution

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Both air and noise pollution are harmful to health. The current and projected future levels of air and noise pollution in Barnet as well as the potential health impacts of these on the Barnet population are explored in the dashboard below.

Headline Figures

  • 14.6% of Barnet’s population are exposed to transport noise above 65dB(A) during the daytime and 18.4% to noise above 55dB(A) during the night – this is more than both the London and England average.
  • Car transport is the biggest source of NOx, PM2.5 and PM10 in Barnet and the biggest source of CO2 is domestic heat and power generation.
  • Measured NO2 and PM2.5 concentration varies across the borough, and generally is higher in south-west Barnet.
  • 6.4% of mortality in those aged 30 years and over is attributable to particulate air pollution in Barnet and 4.4% of those aged 6 years and over have asthma.

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Narrative

Noise pollution:

  • Levels of noise pollution: 14.6% of Barnet’s population are exposed to transport noise above 65dB(A) during the daytime – this is higher than both the London (12.1%) and England average (5.5%). During the nighttime, 18.4% of Barnet’s population are exposed to transport noise above 55dB(A) and again this is higher than both the London (15.9%) and England average (8.5%).
  • Potential health impacts: 4% of Barnet’s population aged 16 years or more reports deafness or hearing loss. This below the England average of 6%. Hearing loss varies by age group, with an estimated 93% of those aged 80 years and over experiencing hearing loss of 25dBHL or more.

Air pollution:

  • Levels of air pollution: Car transport is the biggest source of NOx, PM2.5 and PM10 in Barnet. The biggest source of CO2 is domestic heat and power generation. Schools, care homes, and hospitals have varied exposure to NO2 and PM2.5 pollution, with establishments in the South-West of the borough having higher exposure levels than those in the North-East. NOx and PM2.5 emissions also vary by road in Barnet, with roads in the West and South of the borough having higher annual emissions than the North and East.
  • Potential health impacts: 6.4% of mortality in those aged 30 years and over is attributable to particulate air pollution in Barnet – this is similar to both the England and London average. In Barnet, the average asthma prevalence in those aged 6 years and older is 4.4%. PCN 4 and PCN 2 both have a higher prevalence than the Barnet average whereas PCN 1D and PCN 6 have a lower prevalence. All PCNs are significantly below the England average prevalence.

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