Researchers investigated disparities in exposure to six major air pollutants in 1990, 2000 and 2010 by comparing models of air pollution levels to census data. While overall pollutant concentrations have decreased since 1990, people of color are still more likely to be exposed to all six pollutants than white people, regardless of income level, across the continental United States.

University of Washington researchers investigated disparities in exposure to six major air pollutants in 1990, 2000 and 2010 by comparing models of air pollution levels to census data — including where people live, their racial/ethnic background and their income status.

The team showed that while overall pollutant concentrations have decreased since 1990, people of color are still more likely to be exposed to all six pollutants than white people, regardless of income level, across the continental United States.

The researchers published these results Dec. 15 in Environmental Health Perspectives.

«This is the first time anyone has looked comprehensively at all these main pollutants and watched how they vary over time and space,» said senior author Julian Marshall, UW professor of civil and environmental engineering. «This paper is a chance to recognize that, while every community is unique, there are some factors that play out over and over again consistently across our country. If we go state by state, there’s no place where there are no environmental justice concerns.»

Previously the researchers showed that Americans of color were exposed to higher concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), an outdoor pollutant from cars and trucks, in two census years: 2000 and 2010.

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Materials provided by University of Washington. Original written by Sarah McQuate and Rebecca Gourley. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.