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Differential Exposure to Hazardous Air Pollution in the United States: A Multilevel Analysis of Urbanization and Neighborhood Socioeconomic Deprivation

Author

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  • Gary S. Young

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Mary A. Fox

    (Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Michael Trush

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Norma Kanarek

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Thomas A. Glass

    (Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Frank C. Curriero

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

Abstract

Population exposure to multiple chemicals in air presents significant challenges for environmental public health. Air quality regulations distinguish criteria air pollutants (CAPs) (e.g., ozone, PM2.5) from hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)—187 chemicals which include carcinogens and others that are associated with respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and numerous other non-cancer health effects. Evidence of the public’s cumulative exposure and the health effects of HAPs are quite limited. A multilevel model is used to assess differential exposure to HAP respiratory, neurological, and cancer hazards (2005) related to the Townsend Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation (TSI), after adjustment for regional population size and economic activity, and local population density. We found significant positive associations between tract TSI and respiratory and cancer HAP exposure hazards, and smaller effects for neurological HAPs. Tracts in the top quintile of TSI have between 38%–60% higher HAP exposure than the bottom quintile; increasing population size from the bottom quintile to the top quintile modifies HAP exposure hazard related to TSI, increasing cancer HAP exposure hazard by 6% to 20% and increasing respiratory HAP exposure hazard by 12% to 27%. This study demonstrates the value of social epidemiological methods for analyzing differential exposure and advancing cumulative risk assessment.

Suggested Citation

  • Gary S. Young & Mary A. Fox & Michael Trush & Norma Kanarek & Thomas A. Glass & Frank C. Curriero, 2012. "Differential Exposure to Hazardous Air Pollution in the United States: A Multilevel Analysis of Urbanization and Neighborhood Socioeconomic Deprivation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-22, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:9:y:2012:i:6:p:2204-2225:d:18310
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Augustin, T. & Glass, T.A. & James, B.D. & Schwartz, B.S., 2008. "Neighborhood psychosocial hazards and cardiovascular disease: The Baltimore Memory Study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(9), pages 1664-1670.
    2. Eberhardt, M.S. & Pamuk, E.R., 2004. "The importance of place of residence: Examining health in rural and nonrural areas," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(10), pages 1682-1686.
    3. Benedict W Wheeler, 2004. "Health-Related Environmental Indices and Environmental Equity in England and Wales," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 36(5), pages 803-822, May.
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