Disparities in Air Pollutants Across Racial, Ethnic, and Poverty Groups at US Public Schools.

ABSTRACT: We investigate socioeconomic disparities in air quality at public schools in the contiguous US using high resolution estimates of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) 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 NO₂ 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 NO₂

SUBMITTER: Cheeseman MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9714311 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature