Analysis of the Distribution of Air Toxics in California: A Case Study for Assessing Environmental Equity. R. A. Morello-Frosch, UC Berkeley School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Division, 140 Warren Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720; T. J. Woodruff and D. A. Axelrad, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation, 401 M St. SW (2123), Washington, DC 20460; A. S. Rosenbaum, Systems Applications International, Inc., 101 Lucas Valley Road, San Rafael, CA 94903; and J. C. Caldwell, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Over the last two decades there has been a number of studies showing inequitable distributions of environmental hazards across race and income groups. However, studies have not adequately addressed the central public health question of what potentially disparate exposures mean for distributions of cancer and non-cancer health risks across communities. Using data from EPA’s Cumulative Exposure Project, this study assesses community distributions of ambient air toxics concentrations in California. This state provides an excellent case study for assessing environmental equity; California is a bellwether of demographic and socioeconomic change for the country, and will be comprised of a majority of people of color by the 21st century. Moreover, the state has a history of addressing some of the worst air pollution problems in the nation. This analysis covers a broad scope of substances by including 153 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) defined under the Clean Air Act. Modeled ambient concentration estimates allocated by census tract are used to examine the distribution of HAPs statewide from a wide range of emission sources, including manufacturing/industrial facilities, refineries, combustion facilities, and mobile sources. Pollutant concentration estimates are compared with cancer and non-cancer health benchmark values. Using a population-weighted exposure index, toxicity-weighted air toxics exposure burdens are compared across demographic groups. Emission sources that contribute substantially to observed exposure inequities are also assessed.
The views expressed in this presentation are those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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