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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 40292361 DOI: 10.1097/EE9.0000000000000386

Association between PM air pollution and social deprivation in Western Pennsylvania.

Environ Epidemiol 9(3):e386

Authors: Luke Bryan, Ella M Whitman, Henry Bayly, Philip J Landrigan

Affiliations

  • Boston College Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
  • Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco, Monaco.

Abstract

Introduction

Fine particulate matter (PM) air pollution is a leading environmental cause of morbidity, premature mortality, and loss of human capital. Western Pennsylvania experiences elevated PM concentrations due to industrial and automotive emissions and a unique geography.

Objective

To assess the relationship between annual mean PM concentration and social deprivation at the census block group level in the eight counties of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area (Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland).

Methodology

2016 Aerosol Optical Depth modeled PM data were obtained at a 1 × 1 km resolution from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Socio-Economic Data and Applications Center and spatially joined to the 2,008 census block groups that comprise the eight counties of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area. Using the University of Wisconsin Area Deprivation Index, census block groups were stratified into deciles ranging from 1 (least deprived) to 10 (most deprived). A pairwise comparison was conducted to examine the relationship between annual mean PM estimates and social deprivation within and across deciles.

Results

The average ambient PM concentration for the eight counties was 8.54 ± 0.46 µg/m, with block-group concentrations ranging from 5.59 to 15.90 µg/m. We identified a statistically significant, positive association between PM concentration and social deprivation: group 1, representing the least deprived neighborhoods, had the lowest mean PM concentration of 8.70 µg/m³. In contrast, group 10, representing the most deprived areas, had the highest mean PM concentration of 9.58 µg/m³ and was the only group with a PM concentration significantly higher than all other deciles. The association between PM exposure and social deprivation remained statistically significant, even after applying a false discovery rate correction.

Conclusion

In Western Pennsylvania, PM exposure is significantly associated with social deprivation. Our results indicate that the relationship between PM and area deprivation in urban US Census block groups was strongest in areas with high levels of deprivation. Future policy interventions should prioritize addressing the unique needs of minority communities that are disproportionately exposed to elevated levels of air pollution.

MeSH

Air Pollution, Censuses, Air, Environmental Pollution