Inequality in Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions and Concentrations Measured Over Los Angeles

Ofodile, J., Pfannerstill, E. Y., Arata, C., Pusede, S. E., Ivey, C. E., and Goldstein, A. H.

Abstract

In Los Angeles, air pollution disproportionately impacts communities of color and low-income residents. Routine city-wide measurements of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), of concern for health and contributing to urban air pollution, are notably lacking. In this study, we use the highest spatially resolved (∼2 km) measurements of emissions and concentrations ever reported of HAPs while covering a whole megacity and combine observations with US Census information. We observe higher concentrations and emissions of 17 measured HAPs, such as benzene, naphthalene, and p-chlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF), in California-designated Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) and census tracts with low-income Hispanics and Asians. These groups share an unequal burden from traffic-related emissions, with benzene, nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations up to 60% higher. However, in DACs and census tracts with large Hispanic populations (>50%), we observe toluene-to-benzene emission ratios above 3, pointing to inequalities in other HAPs primarily caused by non-traffic emission sources such as industry and solvents. In these communities, regulatory inventories also significantly underestimate emissions. We find that efforts to address HAP inequalities and environmental justice concerns in Los Angeles will need to consider contributions from volatile chemical products, which represent a growing source of emissions driving inequalities in impacted communities.