Employed

Per Capita Income

Above Poverty

Economic

Preschool Enrollment

Bachelor's Education

High School Enrollment

Education

Voting

Census Response

Social

Automobile Access

Active Commuting

Transportation

Insured Adults

Healthcare Access

Retail Density

Park Access

Tree Canopy

Neighborhood

Severely Cost Burdened Low-Income Renters

Severely Cost Burdened Low-Income Homeowners

Housing Habitability

Uncrowded Housing

Homeownership

Housing

Ozone

Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

Diesel Particulate Matter

Safe Drinking Water

Clean Environment

Extreme Heat

Impervious Surfaces

Outdoor Workers

Public Transit Access

Sea Level Rise

Two Parent Households

Alcohol Availability

Supermarket Access

Decision Support

Everyone should be able to live in neighborhoods where it is safe to breathe. Since fine particulate matter is so small, it can reach deep into people’s lungs leading adverse health outcomes. This can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. It can also cause adverse respiratory outcomes such as chronic obstructive lung disease, asthma, altered pulmonary function, and other symptoms. In California, the Air Resources Board estimates that, based on PM

 levels in the air between 2004 and 2006, over 9,300 deaths could be prevented each year if California met its current statewide PM2.5 standard.

 is especially dangerous for children, exacerbating pulmonary inflammation and other risks. Evidence that links PM

 to low birth weight and infant mortality is growing.

) is the technical term for very small particles from vehicle tailpipes, tires and brakes, power plants, factories, burning wood, construction dust, and many other sources.

 These particles are 30 times smaller than a human hair, or 2.5 micrometers. This indicator measures the annual average amount of these particles

David Gorn, “More Pollution Than Cars? Gas-Powered Gardening Equipment Poses the Next Air Quality Threat,” KQED, February 13, 2017, https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2017/02/13/more-pollution-than-cars-gas-powered-gardening-equipment-poses-the-next-air-quality-threat/.

K Ebi and J Semenza, “Community-Based Adaptation to the Health Impacts of Climate Change,” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 35, no. 5 (2008): 501–7.

The Environmental Protection Agency, “Particulate Matter (PM) Basics,” n.d., https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics#PM.

Annual mean concentration of PM2.5 (average of quarterly means, μg/m3), over three years (2012 to 2014)

California Air Resources Board, “Methodology for Estimating Premature Deaths Associated with Long-Term Exposure to Fine Airborne Particulate Matter in California,” 2008, https://www.arb.ca.gov/research/health/pm-mort/PMmortalityreportFINALR10-24-08.pdf.

Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative, “Social Determinants of Health Indicator Guide,” 2015, http://barhii.org/resources/sdoh-indicator-guide/.

Bay Area AIr Quality Managment District, “Reducing Wood Smoke: A Burning Health Issue,” No Date Given, http://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/Files/Communications%20and%20Outreach/RedWoodSmoke.ashx.

To address high levels of fine particulate matter, jurisdictions should work to reduce vehicle miles traveled and PM

 emission levels, while also helping to protect residents from current pollution.

While local jurisdictions do not have regulatory authority over most smokestack (stationary source) and tail pipe (mobile source) emissions, there are many actions local jurisdictions can take to reduce pollution. They can incentivize or require 

Facilities in many situations. They can also limit PM

 by helping reduce car travel—decreasing tail pipe emissions and other particles released from wear and tear on breaks and tires. 

 strategies, in particular, can help reduce driving by allowing people to live close to jobs, services and other destinations. They can also work with their local Air Quality Management District to 

, like construction, homes, and other stationary sources.

In addition to reducing pollution, it is essential to find ways to protect residents from existing PM

 sources and other emissions. Jurisdictions can 

 sources by using planning tools to ensure that new residential development and schools are not adjacent to these sources, and to encourage ending existing incompatible land uses. Where pollution and people must co-exist, jurisdictions can 

 by encouraging healthy design standards and accurate information collection and response to existing risks. Finally, jurisdictions can 

 and partner with communities to address air quality issues.

For all strategies, jurisdictions should direct and prioritize efforts for places already overburdened by air pollution, and work to address existing inequities in health. In addition to relieving existing burdens, jurisdictions should identify opportunities to maximize additional health or quality of life benefits that can be achieved in addition to decreased pollution. For instance, 

 can improve indoor air quality, reduce asthma triggers, provide job training opportunities, and save residents money. Local governments should prioritize interventions that minimize risk in vulnerable communities, while maximizing co-benefits that meet community needs.

Reduce pollution at its source by using cleaner freight technology and practices.

Climate

Equity

Sufficient Evidence

Truck Routes and Idling Restrictions

Promising

Zero or Near-Zero-Emission Vehicles

Cleaner Freight Systems

Retrofit Diesel Generators

Reduce tailpipe emissions and other particles released from wear and tear on breaks and tires by reducing car travel.

Pollution

Transit Service Expansion

Shared Transportation Systems

Transit Fix-It-First

Transportation Demand Management (TDM)

Discount Transit Pass Programs

Physical Activity

Active Transportation Infrastructure

Reduce emissions from construction, homes, and other stationary sources.

Strong Evidence

Tobacco Taxes

Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs

Wood Stove and Fireplace Reduction Measures

Construction Best Management Practices

Emerging

Other Stationary Source Reduction Measures

Lawn and Garden Equipment Exchange and Incentive Programs

Where pollution and people must co-exist, encourage healthy design standards and accurate information collection and response to existing risks.

Community Power and Connection

Monitoring and Warning Systems

Health

Weatherization Programs

Site Planning

Partner with communities to address air quality issues.

Community Organizing

Use planning tools to ensure that new homes and schools are not adjacent to pollution sources, and work to separate existing incompatible land uses.

Health Protective Buffers

Zoning

Reduce car travel and emissions by enabling people to live close to jobs, services and other destinations.

Policy Guide

Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

References