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Environmental Justice Analysis of Air Pollution Emissions in the United States (1970-2010)

Summary

A recent study, published in Nature Communications on January 17, 2024, conducts an environmental justice analysis of air pollution emissions in the United States from 1970 to 2010. The research, led by Yanelli Nunez and a team of scientists, evaluates county-level racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in emissions changes across six air pollution source sectors, including industry, energy, agriculture, commercial, residential, and on-road transportation. The study reveals persistent racial/ethnic and socioeconomic inequities despite overall decreases in air pollution emissions. Notably, disparities are found in industry and energy sectors, with higher median family income linked to larger relative declines in emissions. The findings highlight the importance of addressing specific air pollution sources to achieve equitable reductions, emphasizing the need for targeted regulatory strategies for environmental justice.

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