Full Citation
Title: Air quality sensors and distributional environmental justice: a case study of Salt Lake County, Utah
Citation Type: Journal Article
Forthcoming?: Yes
ISBN:
ISSN: 23251042
DOI: 10.1080/23251042.2023.2295099
NSFID:
PMCID:
PMID:
Abstract: Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) causes health problems and is monitored by U.S. federal and state governments. Due to gaps in public monitoring, people rely on non-regulatory air quality monitoring networks (NAQMNs), comprised of low-cost PM2.5 sensors, to obtain air quality information. While environmental justice studies have examined social disparities in PM2.5 and sensor distribution, none have examined disparities in university-purchased vs. privately-purchased sensor distributions. This is important because who purchases sensors (and why) may impact sensor distribution equity. Using multivariable generalized estimating equations, we investigate university-purchased (n=68) and privately-purchased (n=230) sensors in the Salt Lake County, Utah NAQMN with a focus on socioeconomic status (SES), race/ethnicity/immigrant status, and PM2.5 at the census tract-level (n=208). Tracts with higher SES and PM2.5 concentrations had increased sensors per resident. Findings related to SES attenuate when predicting university-purchased vs. privately-purchased sensors. Tracts with greater Hispanic immigrant populations and higher PM2.5 concentrations had increased access to university-purchased sensors. Tracts with higher Asian concentrations were underserved regardless of sensor purchaser. This approach illuminates how university-purchased sensors may enhance distributional environmental justice. Findings have implications for enhancing equitable sensor distribution in NAQMNs.
Url: https://www-tandfonline-com.ezp3.lib.umn.edu/doi/abs/10.1080/23251042.2023.2295099
User Submitted?: No
Authors: Mullen, Casey J.; Grineski, Sara E.; Collins, Timothy W.; Flores, Aaron B.
Periodical (Full): Environmental Sociology
Issue:
Volume:
Pages: 1-13
Data Collections: IPUMS NHGIS
Topics: Methodology and Data Collection, Natural Resource Management
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