Air Quality and community Exposure Disparities in the Marcellus Shale Region: Spatial and Temporal Analysis

Keywords: Air quality, Exposure disparities, PM2.5, Ozone, Environmental justice, spatial analysis, temporal analysis
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

The oil and gas industry is a major U.S. economic sector, yet balancing its economic benefits with its environmental impacts is crucial, especially for local air quality. To date, the spatial and temporal patterns of air pollutants remain poorly understood in areas with extensive unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD). These pollutants often disproportionately affect socioeconomically more vulnerable sub-populations. To adequately examine the impacts of UOGD emissions on local air quality and different sub-populations, it is essential to conduct spatial and temporal analyses by employing a multidisciplinary approach that integrates emissions data and atmospheric modeling. This study investigates the impacts of UOGD emissions on air quality trends and community exposures using the chemical transport model to accurately assess not only the oil and gas industry but also other sources of emissions to gain a precise comprehension of their effects over the Marcellus Shale region. We first conduct spatial and temporal analyses on air pollutants covering criteria air pollutants (e.g., NO2, O3, PM2.5) and selected air toxics (e.g., benzene, toluene). We then examine community disparities in exposure to air pollutants based on socioeconomic and demographic status. Here, we specifically focus on several economic (e.g., income, health insurance, car ownership) and demographic factors (e.g., age, sex, race/ethnicity). Finally, we associate the exposure with air-pollution-specific vulnerability index. These findings would provide evidence on how UOGD emissions impact local air quality and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, ultimately informing policy and intervention strategies to mitigate these environmental health risks.