Studying Air Pollution-Health-Climate Interactions for People of Color in Southeast Queens, NY: A Community-Based Project

  • Roberts-Semple, Dawn (PI)
  • Shin, Jin J. (CoPI)
  • Gao, Yuan (CoPI)

Project Details

Description

Air pollution and climate change are major environmental issues impacting human health. In the U.S., air pollution is a leading cause of illnesses such as asthma, and death could be caused by poor air quality. Major air pollutants, including NOx (nitrogen oxides) and O3 (ozone), are greenhouse gases, and fine particles (PM2.5 - particulate matter 2.5) affect radiation transfer; both contribute to climate change. Thus, by reducing air pollution, climate and negative health impacts can be alleviated. Integrating air pollution reduction and climate change strategies is a much-needed approach to address environmental health concerns and environmental injustices in Southeast (S.E.) Queens, New York. Residents of S.E. Queens are disproportionately exposed to, and heavily impacted by, high daily diesel exhaust and blowoff from waste hauling trucks from two waste transfer stations, putting them at greater risk for respiratory illnesses from elevated ambient PM2.5, polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), toxic metals, and volatile organics.
StatusActive
Effective start/end date11/1/2210/31/25

Funding

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: $1,344,622.00

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