Residents of predominantly non-Anglo or poorer neighborhoods in California are much more likely to breathe harmful levels of airborne soot and dust than residents of more affluent or white neighborhoods, according to state and federal data analyzed by Environmental Working Group (EWG).

EWG obtained average annual readings from air monitors in 112 neighborhoods that record levels particulate matter. They overlaid monitoring data with neighborhood-level data from the 2000 U.S. Census.

The analysis found that annual average particulate levels in neighborhoods with mostly non-Anglo residents are 28 percent higher than in areas with mostly Anglo residents. This disparity is even more severe in Latino neighborhoods, where PM levels are 36 percent higher than in Anglo neighborhoods.

Further, annual average particulate levels in neighborhoods with a greater than average share of residents living below the federal poverty line are 17 percent higher than in areas with fewer than average poor residents

EWG [www.ewg.org] offers the press release and report online.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2002 at 2:16 pm and is filed under Reports.