Air Pollution: Environmental Injustice And Health Crisis

Air pollution is an environmental justice issue because its health and economic impacts disproportionately affect underserved and underrepresented communities, including communities of colour and low-income communities. People of colour are more likely to live in areas with poor air quality, and are therefore more susceptible to health issues such as asthma, heart attacks, strokes, lung cancer, and reproductive harm. The economic burden of air pollution is also significant, with communities of colour facing more missed days of school and work, as well as additional financial strain from medical costs. Furthermore, climate change, which is fuelled by air pollution, disproportionately impacts low-income countries and minority communities, who often lack access to good housing and are relegated to cheaper, more dangerous areas that are more prone to the effects of climate change, such as flooding.

Air pollution disproportionately affects low-income communities and ethnic minorities

Air pollution is an environmental justice issue because it disproportionately affects low-income communities and ethnic minorities. This inequality is observed both within and between countries.

In the United States, racial and ethnic disparities in air pollution exposure persist despite an overall downward trend in air pollution since the Clean Air Act was enacted in 1970. High-traffic corridors, for example, often cut through communities of colour, placing them on the frontlines of emissions exhaust. In Nevada, automobile exhaust is a major contributor to poor air quality, and children in communities of colour are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of the pollution and toxicants in the air.

Research has found that African American children suffer from asthma at almost double the rate of white children. Similarly, in Clark County, African American students had the highest rates of asthma by race (13.4%), followed by Hispanic/Latino students (6.6%). Asthma is the leading cause of missed school days in the nation, and children in these communities are at a greater risk of falling behind academically due to a disease likely caused by their polluted environment.

Low-income communities also face higher risks from air pollution. In Minnesota, 53% of low-income communities have air pollution-related risks above health guidelines, compared to 36% of all communities in the state. Additionally, 9% of low-income communities are located near facilities with modelled risks above guidelines, compared to only 6% of communities overall.

The impacts of air pollution are worsened by the social, economic, and health inequities that marginalised communities face. These communities tend to lack access to good healthcare and may live in crowded housing or areas with poor infrastructure, making them more vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution.

Addressing air pollution and achieving environmental justice requires strengthening and enforcing policies that reduce dangerous pollution for all communities. It is crucial to recognise the link between climate change and environmental justice and to ensure that vulnerable groups have a voice in conversations and decisions regarding potential solutions.

Communities of colour are more likely to live in areas with poor air quality

Air pollution is an environmental justice issue as its health and economic impacts disproportionately affect communities of colour and low-income communities. People of colour are 1.5 times more likely to live in areas with poor air quality than white people. This is due to the historical practice of redlining, which blocked off entire neighbourhoods of colour from loans, investments, and development, making them hotspots for polluting industries and roadways.

In the United States, racial and ethnic disparities in air pollution exposure persist despite an overall downward trend in air pollution since the enactment of the Clean Air Act in 1970. For example, in Nevada, high-traffic corridors cut through communities of colour in Las Vegas and Reno, making these neighbourhoods more vulnerable to emissions exhaust. As a result, communities of colour, particularly children, are harmed to a greater extent by air pollution, which impacts the growth of developing lungs and increases the risk of health issues such as asthma.

The health impacts of air pollution are not limited to respiratory issues but also include cardiovascular harm, reproductive harm, premature birth, low birth weight, and even early death. These health issues result in an economic burden for affected communities, with increased medical costs and missed days of school and work. Additionally, the social, economic, and health inequities faced by communities of colour can further exacerbate their vulnerability to the effects of air pollution.

The issue of air pollution among communities of colour is not unique to the United States but is also observed in other countries. For instance, in Europe, ethnic minorities such as Roma communities are more prone to the damage of flooding due to their inability or unwillingness to move to safer locations. Similarly, in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, countries in the Global South suffer the most from air pollution-related premature deaths.

Addressing air pollution in communities of colour requires the implementation of environmental justice principles, which aim to ensure equal access to a healthy and safe environment for all, regardless of ethnicity or socioeconomic factors. This includes strengthening and enforcing policies that reduce dangerous pollution, promoting community participation in decision-making processes, and addressing the root causes of environmental degradation. By advocating for environmental justice, we can work towards creating a more equitable and just society where everyone has the opportunity to live a full and healthy life.

The health impacts of air pollution are more severe for those in underserved communities

Air pollution is an environmental justice issue because its health impacts are disproportionately distributed, with underserved communities suffering the most severe consequences. This inequality is evident across the globe, with countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania experiencing the highest rates of air pollution-related premature deaths. Within countries, low-income communities, communities of colour, and Indigenous peoples bear the brunt of air pollution's adverse effects.

Underserved communities face a higher risk of exposure to air pollutants due to various factors. Firstly, these communities are more likely to be located near polluting industries, roadways, and infrastructure. The practice of redlining, which blocked off investments and developments in neighbourhoods of colour, has contributed to this disparity. Additionally, economic inequalities force marginalised groups into cheaper housing, which is often situated in areas with higher pollution levels.

The health consequences of air pollution in underserved communities extend beyond respiratory issues. Air pollution has been linked to cardiovascular harm, including heart attacks and strokes, as well as reproductive issues, premature births, low birth weight, and even early death. The economic burden of these health issues is also significant, with missed days of school and work, and increased medical costs creating additional financial strain for already disadvantaged communities.

Addressing the disproportionate impacts of air pollution on underserved communities requires the implementation of environmental justice principles. This includes strengthening and enforcing policies that reduce dangerous pollution, ensuring community participation in decision-making processes, and advocating for equitable access to a healthy and safe environment for all, regardless of socio-economic status or geographical location.

The economic burden of air pollution falls on those already disadvantaged

Air pollution is an environmental justice issue as its health and economic impacts disproportionately affect underserved and underrepresented communities. This includes communities of colour, immigrants, low-income communities, and those for whom English is not their first language. These communities are more likely to be exposed to air pollution and suffer from the negative health consequences, which in turn leads to an economic burden.

Research has shown that communities of colour are more prone to the damage of environmental issues, such as flooding and air pollution. This is due to a variety of factors, including the fact that minority communities often suffer from economic inequality, which means they are relegated to cheaper, more undesirable, and potentially dangerous housing. For example, redlining, the practice of blocking off entire neighbourhoods of colour for loans, investment, and development, has made it easier for polluting industries and roadways to target these communities. This has resulted in a higher degree of exposure to air pollution for people of colour. In the United States, people of colour are 1.5 times more likely to live in an area with poor air quality than white people. Furthermore, African American children are almost twice as likely to have asthma as white children, and Black infants have higher rates of infant mortality due to heat-related health issues.

Low-income communities are also disproportionately affected by air pollution. They are more likely to live in areas with higher air pollution-related risks and have more sources of pollution, such as industrial facilities. In addition, they may lack access to green spaces and basic natural resources like clean water, which further contributes to the environmental injustice they face. The economic burden of air pollution falls on these already disadvantaged communities, who face more missed days of school and work, as well as additional financial strain due to medical costs.

Indigenous people are another group that faces disproportionate impacts from air pollution. They are more likely to live in communities with modelled risks above health guidelines and suffer from the health and economic consequences. For example, in Minnesota, 14% of communities of colour, including Indigenous people, are located near facilities with modelled risks above guidelines.

The economic burden of air pollution is, therefore, felt most keenly by those who are already disadvantaged. This includes communities of colour, low-income communities, and Indigenous people, who are more likely to be exposed to air pollution and suffer from its health and economic consequences. Addressing this issue requires the implementation of stronger policies and regulations that reduce dangerous pollution and ensure equal access to a healthy and safe environment for all, regardless of socio-economic status or geographical location.

The global south suffers the most from air pollution-related premature deaths

Air pollution is an environmental justice issue as the health and economic impacts are disproportionately distributed in underserved communities. The global south, including countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, suffers the most from air pollution-related premature deaths.

In 2021, South Africa recorded 3,365 deaths of children under five due to air pollution. The primary causes were vehicle fumes, coal-burning power plants, and industrial activities. Similarly, in Central Asia, air pollution exposure levels exceeded WHO guidelines for PM2.5, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide, resulting in over 63,000 deaths in the region in 2021. Southeast Asia also witnessed 630,000 deaths from air pollution during the same year.

South Asia, home to some of the world's most populous countries, faces a significant burden of disease from air pollution. In 2021, approximately 2.6 million deaths were attributed to air pollution in the region, with India accounting for nearly 35% of these deaths. Household air pollution is a significant concern, with 94% of households in Lao PDR and over one billion people across Central, South, and Southeast Asia relying on solid fuels for cooking, exposing them to high levels of harmful pollutants.

The impact of air pollution is not limited to developing nations. In the United States, racial and ethnic disparities in air pollution exposure persist despite overall reductions in air pollution emissions since the Clean Air Act of 1970. Communities of color and low-income communities are disproportionately affected by air pollution, facing higher rates of respiratory and cardiovascular issues, including asthma, heart attacks and strokes.

Overall, the global south bears the brunt of air pollution-related premature deaths, highlighting the environmental injustice caused by unequal exposure to harmful pollutants and the need for urgent action to address this crisis.

Frequently asked questions