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Assessment of Public Health Risks Associated with Atmospheric Exposure to PM 2.5 in Washington, DC, USA

Author

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  • Natasha A. Greene

    (Program in Atmospheric Sciences, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA)

  • Vernon R. Morris

    (Program in Atmospheric Sciences, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA
    Department of Chemistry, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA)

Abstract

In this research, we investigated the public health risks associated with atmospheric exposure to PM 2.5 for different subpopulations (black, white, Hispanic, youth, adults, and elderly) in the Washington, DC area. Washington, DC has long been considered a non-healthy place to live according to the American Lung Association due to its poor air quality. This recognition clearly includes the negative PM-related human health effects within the region. Specifically, DC fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) [or particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm] poses notable health risks to subpopulations having an annual mean value of 16.70 μg/m 3 during the years 1999-2004, exceeding the EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 15 μg/m 3 . Incessant exposure to significant levels of PM has previously been linked to deleterious health effects, such as heart and lung diseases. The environmental quality and public health statistics of Washington, DC indicate the need for higher-resolution measurements of emissions, both spatially and temporally, and increased analysis of PM-related health effects. Our findings show that there are significant risks of ward-specific pediatric asthma emergency room visits (ERV). Results also illustrate lifetime excess lung cancer risks, exceeding the 1x10 -6 threshold for the measured levels of particulate matter and heavy metals (chromium and arsenic) on behalf of numerous subpopulations in the DC selected wards.

Suggested Citation

  • Natasha A. Greene & Vernon R. Morris, 2006. "Assessment of Public Health Risks Associated with Atmospheric Exposure to PM 2.5 in Washington, DC, USA," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:3:y:2006:i:1:p:86-97:d:2375
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Randall S. Cerveny & Robert C. Balling, 1998. "Erratum: Weekly cycles of air pollutants, precipitation and tropical cyclones in the coastal NW Atlantic region," Nature, Nature, vol. 395(6700), pages 405-405, September.
    2. Randall S. Cerveny & Robert C. Balling, 1998. "Weekly cycles of air pollutants, precipitation and tropical cyclones in the coastal NW Atlantic region," Nature, Nature, vol. 394(6693), pages 561-563, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Daniel Dunea & Stefania Iordache & Alin Pohoata, 2016. "Fine Particulate Matter in Urban Environments: A Trigger of Respiratory Symptoms in Sensitive Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Xu Meng & Ying Zhang & Kun-Qi Yang & Yan-Kun Yang & Xian-Liang Zhou, 2016. "Potential Harmful Effects of PM 2.5 on Occurrence and Progression of Acute Coronary Syndrome: Epidemiology, Mechanisms, and Prevention Measures," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-16, July.
    3. Mark A.S. Laidlaw & Gabriel M. Filippelli & Richard C. Sadler & Christopher R. Gonzales & Andrew S. Ball & Howard W. Mielke, 2016. "Children’s Blood Lead Seasonality in Flint, Michigan (USA), and Soil-Sourced Lead Hazard Risks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-13, March.
    4. Mushtaq Ahmad & Thanaphum Manjantrarat & Wachiraya Rattanawongsa & Phitchaya Muensri & Rattaporn Saenmuangchin & Annop Klamchuen & Sasitorn Aueviriyavit & Kanokwan Sukrak & Wiyong Kangwansupamonkon & , 2022. "Chemical Composition, Sources, and Health Risk Assessment of PM 2.5 and PM 10 in Urban Sites of Bangkok, Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-17, November.
    5. Sawaeng Kawichai & Susira Bootdee & Sopittaporn Sillapapiromsuk & Radshadaporn Janta, 2022. "Epidemiological Study on Health Risk Assessment of Exposure to PM2.5-Bound Toxic Metals in the Industrial Metropolitan of Rayong, Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-17, November.
    6. Soo Ran Won & In-Keun Shim & Jeonghoon Kim & Hyun Ah Ji & Yumi Lee & Jongchun Lee & Young Sung Ghim, 2021. "PM 2.5 and Trace Elements in Underground Shopping Districts in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-16, January.
    7. Ping Zhang & Bo Hong & Liang He & Fei Cheng & Peng Zhao & Cailiang Wei & Yunhui Liu, 2015. "Temporal and Spatial Simulation of Atmospheric Pollutant PM2.5 Changes and Risk Assessment of Population Exposure to Pollution Using Optimization Algorithms of the Back Propagation-Artificial Neural N," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-25, September.
    8. Biao Sun & Shan Yang, 2020. "Asymmetric and Spatial Non-Stationary Effects of Particulate Air Pollution on Urban Housing Prices in Chinese Cities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-23, October.

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