Environmental justice in France: Analysis of the association between exposure to environmental pollution and social deprivation

Background Some studies on environmental justice have demonstrated inequalities in pollution exposure based on socioeconomic gradients. However, French studies are limited to the local level, and showed varied associations between environmental pollution and social deprivation. Methods This study analysed the association between exposure to environmental pollution and social deprivation on a fine scale in France. Indicators for proximity to polluted sites and soils, and the number of days of overexposure to fine particles (PM 10 , PM 2.5 ) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), according to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines (2021), were calculated for each geographical unit (IRIS) in 2021. Social deprivation levels were measured using the French version of the European Deprivation Index (EDI) in 2017. Relationships between environmental pollution and deprivation were assessed using a conditional spatial autoregressive Poisson model. Findings IRIS in EDI quintiles 4 and 5 (the most deprived) were 2·005 (95% CI: 1·892–2·125) and 1·991 (95% CI: 1·873–2·117) times more likely to have a higher number of polluted sites and soils compared with IRIS in quintile 1 (the least deprived). Air pollution showed linear associations with risks of overexposure to PM 10 , PM 2.5 , and NO 2 , with relative risks of 1·087 (1·082–1·093), 1·027 (1·025–1·029), and 1·013 (1·011–1·016), respectively, in the most deprived quintile. Interpretation This study highlights the compounding effects of environmental and social inequities in France, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to reduce disparities in pollution exposure and associated health risks.