The risk of mortality and cancer in people commuting using the London Underground

Laura Horsfall, Nicola Shelton, Adam Dennett, Pia Hardelid, John Hurst, Matthew Loxham, Calum Kennedy, UCL & Stephan Thies, Columbia/LSE

(Project no. 2004497)

People using the London Underground (LU) are exposed to concentrations of airborne particulates 10-50 times higher than above ground. In contrast to ambient/roadside air pollution, the LU has very high levels of metal particulates (>50% iron oxide). Long-term health impacts on commuters of regular exposure are unknown. We will use the ONS LS to compare mortality and cancer rates of people who regularly commuted using the LU between 1991 and 2021 to those of people who used other surface commute modes. Government and transport organisations can use these results to inform the cost-effectiveness of air quality improvement investment decisions, and members of the public to make decisions on transport routes/personal protective equipment.

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