Disparities in Air Pollutants Across Racial, Ethnic, and Poverty Groups at US Public Schools
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
12-1-2022
Journal
GeoHealth
Volume
6
Issue
12
DOI
10.1029/2022GH000672
Keywords
education; environmental justice; nitrogen dioxide; particulate matter
Abstract
We investigate socioeconomic disparities in air quality at public schools in the contiguous US using high resolution estimates of fine particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO) concentrations. We find that schools with higher proportions of people of color (POC) and students eligible for the federal free or reduced lunch program, a proxy for poverty level, are associated with higher pollutant concentrations. For example, we find that the median annual NO concentration for White students, nationally, was 7.7 ppbv, compared to 9.2 ppbv for Black and African American students. Statewide and regional disparities in pollutant concentrations across racial, ethnic, and poverty groups are consistent with nationwide results, where elevated NO concentrations were associated with schools with higher proportions of POC and higher levels of poverty. Similar, though smaller, differences were found in PM across racial and ethnic groups in most states. Racial, ethnic, and economic segregation across the rural-urban divide is likely an important factor in pollution disparities at US public schools. We identify distinct regional patterns of disparities, highlighting differences between California, New York, and Florida. Finally, we highlight that disparities exist not only across urban and non-urban lines but also within urban environments.
APA Citation
Cheeseman, Michael J.; Ford, Bonne; Anenberg, Susan C.; Cooper, Matthew J.; Fischer, Emily V.; Hammer, Melanie S.; Magzamen, Sheryl; Martin, Randall V.; van Donkelaar, Aaron; Volckens, John; and Pierce, Jeffrey R., "Disparities in Air Pollutants Across Racial, Ethnic, and Poverty Groups at US Public Schools" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 2165.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/2165
Department
Environmental and Occupational Health