The Public Health Impacts of PM2.5 from Traffic Air Pollution

PM2.5—or fine particulate matter—are tiny particles that pollute the air and result from everyday urban activities like driving. PM2.5 can be solid or liquid in form when it is airborne. PM2.5 is the most harmful air pollution for humans to breathe in because the particles are small enough to enter the bloodstream through the lungs. Each PM2.5 particle is less than 2.5 microns in diameter. That is small enough to fit inside a red blood cell.

A PM2.5 particle is smaller than a red blood cell

The public health impacts of PM2.5

Once in the bloodstream, PM2.5 can cause health problems to the respiratory and circulatory systems, and even lower life expectancy. Health outcomes caused or worsened by PM2.5 include asthma, cancer, stroke, lung disease and reduced lung function, and cardiovascular disease.

A person breathing in PM2.5 and it entering the bloodstream and lungs
Industrial activity, a grill, a truck, and a building demonstrate common sources of PM2.5

Health impacts of PM2.5 in New York City

In New York City, current overall PM2.5 levels from all sources contribute to 2,000 deaths and 5,150 emergency department visits and hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular disease each year.

1 in 140 cardiovascular hospitalizations

1 out 140 cardiovascular hospitalizations in NYC are caused by PM2.5

1 in 68 respiratory hospital visits

1 out of 68 respiratory hospital visits in NYC are caused by PM2.5

1 in 28 asthma emergency room visits

1 out of 28 asthma emergency room visits in NYC are caused by PM2.5

1 in 25 deaths

1 out of 25 deaths are caused by PM2.5

Traffic is a major source of PM2.5 in NYC

PM2.5 in NYC comes from inside and outside the city from all kinds of combustion activity. This includes the burning of fuel in vehicles, buildings, power plants, and construction equipment, as well as commercial cooking and industrial activities. PM2.5 can either come directly from these sources or be formed in the atmosphere from other pollutants.

14% of the PM2.5 emitted from NYC activities comes from everyday car, bus, and truck traffic. With the prevalence of people getting more deliveries, traffic patterns are changing.

However, the health impacts of PM2.5 from traffic are still felt more acutely in less wealthy neighborhoods.

PM2.5 pollution from traffic is not evenly distributed throughout the city

Some neighborhoods in New York City experience higher concentrations of PM2.5 from traffic than others.

PM2.5 from trucks and buses

Map showing the concentrations of PM2.5 from trucks and buses in NYC

PM2.5 from cars

Map showing the concentrations of PM2.5 from cars in NYC
0.09-0.32
1.10-1.37
0.33-0.56
1.38-1.74
0.57-0.83
1.75-2.60 µg/m3
0.84-1.09
Traffic-related PM2.5 is estimated from air quality models.

PM2.5 pollution from traffic contributes to adverse health effects

PM2.5 pollution from traffic in the NYC region contributes to an estimated 320 premature deaths and 870 emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations each year in New York City.

Most of these ED visits, hospitalizations, and deaths are due to PM2.5 from traffic in NYC.

PM2.5-related health problems from traffic are highest in the poorest neighborhoods

PM2.5 levels from all traffic sources are about 50% higher in high poverty neighborhoods than in low poverty neighborhoods. PM2.5 levels from trucks and buses are also higher in high poverty neighborhoods than low poverty neighborhoods. The number of hospitalizations and ED visits related to pollution from traffic are highest in the poorest neighborhoods.

PM2.5 levels from trucks and buses are about 70% higher in high poverty neighborhoods

How is your neighborhood affected?

You can find out the estimated mortality rate, hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular illness rates, and emergency department visits for asthma rate for any neighborhood by entering it into the table below. You can compare these rates with poverty level to see how health impacts from traffic-related PM2.5 are differently distributed based upon income in a given neighborhood.

Read the full report on how PM2.5 from traffic contributes to negative health effects in New York City.



Banner image:
Julienne Schaer/Mayoral Photography Office, City of New York
Published on:
February 5, 2021