Assessing air quality, Demographics, and Environmental Justice: A Chicago Case Study

Keywords: Airborne particulate matter, Environmental pollutants, Spatial disparity, Minority communities, Chicago neighborhoods
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

Airborne particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) is composed of many pollutants derived from natural processes, various emission sources, and construction activities. Short- and long-term exposure to higher concentrations of these pollutants has been linked to exacerbating chronic heart and respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Especially, among the children and elderly, the pollutants cause decreased lung function and a higher rate of mortality. Therefore, this study intends to examine the spatial distribution of airborne particulate matter among Chicago neighborhood communities. It will also investigate if the observed spatial pattern of airborne particulate is associated with the demographic landscape of the Chicago metropolitan area, particularly minorities, to shed light on the environmental justice of air quality in Chicago. Historically marginalized communities often face disproportionate exposure to environmental pollutants, such as Airborne particulate matter, exacerbating health risks and deepening socio-economic challenges. Furthermore, this research attempts to identify areas with limited sensor coverage, assessing correlations between monitoring gaps and minority, low-income communities. Despite known disparities in pollution levels, a lack of sufficient air quality sensors in these areas may lead to underreporting of air quality hazards, hindering accurate assessments of environmental risks and the development of targeted interventions. The outcome of this study hopes to reveal critical zones where there are disparities in air quality and monitoring sensors so as to inform policy decisions for reducing environmental inequalities. It also supports equitable resource allocation and bolsters public health efforts by addressing air quality disparities in vulnerable Chicago neighborhoods.