Exposed to NO2 in the center, NOx polluters in the periphery: Evidence from the Paris region

Abstract

Air pollution is the cause of many health problems. In cities, combustion vehicles are a major contributor to emissions of key air pollutants. While many studies have focused on populations exposed to pollutants and the resulting environmental and social inequalities, few compare exposures and contributions. In this research, the population of the Household Travel Survey of the Paris region is studied by confronting two elements: the average individual exposure to NO2 during an average working day and the average traffic NOx emitted during a day by the motorized trips for each resident surveyed. The dynamic exposure to NO2 of each resident is estimated according to activities in an average working day. The results confirm an environmental inequality according to the place of residence: on average, the center residents contribute little to pollutant emissions but are highly exposed. Some categories of the population, including women and the socially disadvantaged, are the most affected by these inequalities.