By Rob McConnell et al
Science of the Total Environment
2023
The transition to electric vehicles is projected to have considerable public health co-benefits, but most evidence regarding air quality and health impacts comes from projections rather than real-world data. We evaluated whether population-level respiratory health and air quality co-benefits were already detectable at the relatively low levels of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs: battery electric, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell vehicle) adoption in California, and evaluated the ZEV adoption gap in underserved communities. We conducted a zip code-level ecologic study relating changes in annual number of ZEVs (nZEV) per 1000 population from 2013 to 2019 to: (i) annual average monitored nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations and (ii) annual age-adjusted asthma-related emergency department (ED) visit rates, while considering educational attainment. The average nZEV increased from 1.4 per 1000 population in 2013 (standard deviation [SD]: 2.1) to 14.7 per 1000 in 2019 (SD: 14.7). ZEV adoption was considerably slower in zip codes with lower educational attainment (p < 0.0001). A within-zip code increase of 20 ZEVs per 1000 was associated with a − 0.41 ppb change in annual average NO2 (95 % confidence interval [CI]:-1.12, 0.29) in an adjusted model. A within-zip code increase of 20 ZEVs per 1000 population was associated with a 3.2 % decrease in annual age-adjusted rate of asthma-related ED visits (95 % CI:-5.4, −0.9). Findings were supported by a variety of sensitivity analyses. Observational data on the early phase ZEV transition in California provided a natural experiment, enabling us to document the first real-world associations between increasing nZEV and changes in air quality and health. Results suggest co-benefits of the early-phase transition to ZEVs but with an adoption gap among populations with lower socioeconomic status which threatens the equitable distribution of possible co-benefits.
By Rob McConnell et al.
Neuroimaging studies showing the adverse effects of air pollution on neurodevelopment have largely focused on smaller samples from limited geographical locations and have implemented univariant approaches to assess exposure and brain macrostructure. Herein, we implement restriction spectrum imaging and a multivariate approach to examine how one year of annual exposure to daily fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), daily nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), and 8-h maximum ozone (O 3 ) at ages 9-10 years relates to subcortical gray matter microarchitecture in a geographically diverse subsample of children from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study℠. Adjusting for confounders, we identified a latent variable representing 66% of the variance between one year of air pollution and subcortical gray matter microarchitecture. PM 2.5 was related to greater isotropic intracellular diffusion in the thalamus, brainstem, and accumbens, which related to cognition and internalizing symptoms. These findings may be indicative of previously identified air pollution-related risk for neuroin-flammation and early neurodegenerative pathologies.
By Rob McConnell et al.
Science of the Total Environment
2023
Higher ambient temperature and air pollution may contribute to increased risk of behaviors harmful to oneself or to others; however, quantitative evidence is limited. We examined the relationship of deaths due to suicide and homicide with temperature and air pollution in California—a state prone to high levels of both exposures.
By Rob McConnell et al.
Environmental International
2023
By Esther Marguiles et al.
Environmental Science: Atmospheres
2023
Using low-cost air quality sensors (PM2.5 , NO2, CO), air pumps, and a Raspberry Pi computer, we constructed a system by which air quality in tree canopies could be interrogated and quantified. The system involves pumping air into a sensor-containing box alternatively from tree canopy air and ambient air; repeating often enough to document if there are concentration differences between these two sources. By using the same set of sensors for air analysis from two sources, we eliminate issues such as sensor offset or drift and/or sensitivity to environmental conditions. True differences between tree canopy air and ambient air can be verified only after it has been established that the concentration difference between co-located inlet tubes is negligible. We’ve documented co-location results, described data summary protocol and as proof of concept, we show true differences in PM2.5 (production) and CO (consumption) between ambient air and tree canopies on the University of Southern California’s campus. In one tree tested, NO 2 between tree canopy and ambient air fluctuated as a function of day/night indicating periods of production and consumption…
By Esther Marguiles et al.
Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
2023
The purpose of this systematic review is to investigate how urban forest expansion processes can most equitably be carried out to improve environmental conditions in U.S. cities. In hopes of informing future environmental planning efforts that center racial and socioeconomic justice, this study examines existing literature in two ways. First, this study gathers existing research looking at associations between urban forest coverage and indicators of gentrification and residential displacement to better understand eco-gentrification risks. Second, this study assesses how participatory planning has been carried out in urban forest expansion projects and compiles descriptive findings and best practices noted in the literature. Findings show a need for further research looking specifically at associations between urban forest expansion and diverse indicators of gentrification and residential displacement, such as demographic shifts in neighborhood populations over time, and temporal changes in rental prices depending on a neighborhood’s proximity to different forms and magnitudes of urban forest expansion. Publications related to participatory urban forestry planning point to the importance of: (a) prioritizing the needs and goals of community members to best utilize local knowledge, rebuild trust in government, and repair historic harm; and (b) creating opportunities for community members to participate in planning processes that are accessible logistically, economically, and socially.
By Antonio M. Bento et al.
Journal of Environmental Economics Management
2023
We develop a unifying approach to estimating climate impacts and adaptation, and apply it to study the impact of climate change on local air pollution. Economic agents are usually constrained when responding to daily weather shocks, but may adjust to long-run climatic changes. By simultaneously exploiting variation in weather and climate, we identify both the short- and long-run impacts on economic outcomes, and measure adaptation directly as the difference between those responses. As a result, we identify adaptation without making extrapolations of weather responses over time or space, and overcome omitted variable bias concerns from prior approaches.
By Rob McConnell et al.
Environmental Epidemiology
2023
More than half of adolescent children do not get the recommended 8 hours of sleep necessary for optimal growth and development. In adults, several studies have evaluated effects of urban stressors including lack of greenspace, air pollution, noise, nighttime light, and psychosocial stress on sleep duration. Little is known about these effects in adolescents, however, it is known that these exposures vary by socioeconomic status (SES). We evaluated the association between several environmental exposures and sleep in adolescent children in Southern California.
