Outdoor Air and Health

Air pollution is one of the most important environmental threats to urban populations and while all people are exposed, pollutant emissions, levels of exposure, and population vulnerability vary across neighborhoods. Exposures to common air pollutants have been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and premature deaths.

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Outdoor Air and Health

Fine particles (PM 2.5)

Fine particles are emitted by vehicles, building boilers, and other combustion - and are a major form of air pollution that harms health.

Black carbon

Black carbon is a major component of fine particles in the air. Fine particles are easily inhaled and contribute to both short-term acute health effects, as well as long-term chronic illness.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant formed by combusion that damage lung tissue, cause breathing problems, and contribute to smog and acid rain.

Ozone (O3)

Ozone is a common air pollutant that can harm breathing and worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Deaths due to PM2.5

Estimating deaths that can be linked to PM2.5 is a way to understand how air pollution increases mortality.

Boiler Emissions- Total SO2 Emissions

Boilers are a common source of SO2, which can worsen lung disease.

Boiler Emissions- Total PM2.5 Emissions

Boilers are a common source of PM2.5, which can harm health.

Boiler Emissions- Total NOx Emissions

Boilers are a common source of NOx emissions, which can harm health.

Annual vehicle miles traveled

Traffic density is a measure of the average number of vehicles that occupy specified area. Traffic density can influence health as a source of air pollution and traffic-related injuries.

Annual vehicle miles traveled (cars)

Traffic density is a measure of the average number of vehicles that occupy specified area. Traffic density can influence health as a source of air pollution and traffic-related injuries.

Annual vehicle miles traveled (trucks)

Traffic density is a measure of the average number of vehicles that occupy specified area. Traffic density can influence health as a source of air pollution and traffic-related injuries.

Outdoor Air Toxics - Benzene

Benzene is an air pollutant resulting from motor vehicle and industrial emissions and tobacco smoke. Benzene is a known carcinogen that can also harm bone marrow and red blood cell function.

Outdoor Air Toxics - Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is an air pollutant resulting from car exhaust and the manufacture of industrial products. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that can also cause irritation to eyes and lungs and increase risk of asthma and trigger asthma symptoms.

Asthma emergency department visits due to PM2.5

PM2.5 can cause asthma ED visits, which represent part of the health burden of fine particle air pollution.

Respiratory hospitalizations due to PM2.5 (age 20+)

Estimating hospitalizations that can be linked to PM2.5 is a way to understand how air pollution impacts public health.

Cardiovascular hospitalizations due to PM2.5 (age 40+)

PM2.5 can cause cardiovascular hospitalizations, which represent part of the health burden of fine particle air pollution.

Cardiac and respiratory deaths due to Ozone

Estimating heart and respiratory deaths that can be linked to ozone is a way to understand how air pollution increases mortality.

Asthma emergency departments visits due to Ozone

Ozone can cause asthma ED visits, which are part of the health burden of air pollution.

Asthma hospitalizations due to Ozone

Ozone can cause hospitalizations for asthma, which are part of the health burden of air pollution.