Southampton Study Links Cruise Pollution to Lung Inflammation
Researchers measured air quality at six sites and found the highest concentrations near the cruise terminal area, with vanadium the most enriched element.
Ultrafine air pollution from cruise ships at the Port of Southampton may inflame lung cells and reduce their antiviral defenses, according to new University of Southampton research. The study linked higher particle concentrations to cruise vessel presence and wind direction, and found metals including vanadium, nickel and cobalt in air samples taken around the port.
The findings add a health dimension to emissions-at-berth scrutiny in Southampton, the UK’s leading cruise port, which handles around three million passengers annually across five passenger terminals. Associated British Ports challenged parts of the study’s methodology and said regulated emissions remained within national limits.
Researchers identify a cruise-emissions fingerprint
University of Southampton scientists measured air quality at six locations around the Port of Southampton and found the highest concentrations near the cruise terminal area.
Nat Easton, the lead researcher, told the BBC: “We see increases in concentration when the wind was coming from the direction of the cruise ships, and when cruise ship presence was higher.”
In laboratory testing, researchers exposed human lung lining cells to ultrafine particles collected from the port environment. They observed stronger inflammatory responses and lower activity in antiviral genes, suggesting the cells were less able to respond to respiratory viruses.
Further testing pointed to vanadium as a particular concern. Using lung tissue and a Covid-19 model, researchers found the metal, commonly associated with cruise ship emissions, appeared to support viral replication.
Professor Matthew Loxam said the team had identified “a clear air pollution ‘signature’ coming from cruise ships burning fuel in ports.” He added that ultrafine particles in those emissions “are essentially unregulated and generally not monitored.”
“We found that exposure of cells to these particles, and vanadium — the most enriched element in the particles — was both pro-inflammatory and facilitated the replication of viruses,” Loxam said.
ABP questions conclusions as shore power remains central to response
Associated British Ports, which owns and operates the Port of Southampton, said it was proud of its emissions-reduction work but disputed the strength of the conclusions being drawn from the study.
“Emissions like nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter are well within National Air Quality Objective mean annual limits,” ABP said. “We are concerned about some important aspects of the methodologies of the study and the strength of inference of some of findings that have been presented to the media.”
The British Ports Association pointed to Southampton’s shore power program, which allows equipped cruise ships to connect to the electrical grid while alongside rather than relying on shipboard diesel generation for hotel loads. Southampton’s Horizon terminal opened in 2021 as the UK’s first cruise shore-power facility.
The association said ports continue to invest in cleaner fuels, electrification and low-emission technologies.
