Advancing Environmental Health Equity in Underserved Neighborhood A Pilot Study on the Impact of Outdoor Air Pollutants on Indoor Air Quality


Peter Kim 1

Hongwan Li,1 Mingze Zhu,1 Mika Cheng,1 Anvesh Vanga,2 Xiao-Ming Hu,3 Wenwen Cheng,4 Anni Yang,5 Changjie Cai,1

1 Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, USA
2 School of Computer Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA
3 Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms, University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA
4 Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA
5 Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability, University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA

Introduction

Air quality has become a primary concern in recent years due to its significant impact on public health and the environment, mainly as we spend most of our time indoors.(1,2) The JFK neighborhood recruited in this study is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with a 78% African American population, which exemplifies the consequences of historically discriminatory zoning decisions. In 1951, this neighborhood was designated for industrial use, a decision reflective of broader systemic environmental injustices plaguing communities of color nationwide. Today, the neighborhood is a diverse, mixed-income area, starkly contrasting with affluent, predominantly white parts of Oklahoma City, where zoning laws stringently prevent industrial encroachment on residential areas. Unfortunately, the protections against industrial encroachment, a basic right afforded to other neighborhoods, remain elusive for the community.

Objectives

  1. Characterize the indoor air quality in this neighborhood
  2. Explore the complex relationship between outdoor and indoor air quality
  3. Evaluate the efficacy of portable air purifiers in improving the neighborhood's indoor air quality

Methods

Indoor Air Quality Measurements Using Low-cost Monitors

We measured the indoor air pollutants and environmental variables using low-cost monitors. The TSI AirAssure™ 8144-6 is a continuous indoor air quality monitor that measures crucial air pollutants and ecological variables, including Particulate Matters (PMs), Total VOC, O3, NO2, SO2, CO, CO2, temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), and barometric pressure (P). The PurpleAir measures PMs. The Aranet4 is a compact, user-friendly air quality monitor with precise CO2 levels, T, RH, and P measurements

Outdoor Air Quality Modeling using WRF-Chem

We obtained the outdoor air quality from the WRF-Chem model, a comprehensive tool simulating outdoor air quality by integrating meteorology and chemistry. The model considers emissions from anthropogenic and biogenic sources, such as industrial facilities, transportation, and natural factors, and generates highly detailed and accurate spatial and temporal data on outdoor air quality. We evaluate the model performance using the measurement data from the nearby EPA observational sites and meteorological stations

Statistical Analysis

We used different statistical methods to establish a relationship between outdoor and indoor air pollutants. To achieve this, we conducted regression analysis and correlation studies. We consider the variations in building characteristics, ventilation, and occupancy while assessing the impact of specific outdoor pollutants on indoor air quality. We also evaluated the intervention by comparing the baseline and after-intervention data using ANOVA or a similar statistical method. We also provided a rationale for the statistical method we choose

Results

Air Pollutant Reduction, Without Air Purifier(blue) vs. With Air Purifier(orange)

Figure 1: Air Pollutant Reduction, Without Air Purifier(blue) vs. With Air Purifier(orange)

Acknowledgement

We gratefully acknowledge the funding from the Presbyterian Health Foundation (PHF) Equipment grant, a center grant sponsored by EPA (grant #: RD840630), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) training project grant.

References

  1. Manisalidis I, Stavropoulou E, Stavropoulos A, Bezirtzoglou E. Environmental and Health Impacts of Air Pollution: A Review. Front Public Health. 2020
  2. Mannan M, Al-Ghamdi SG. Indoor Air Quality in Buildings: A Comprehensive Review on the Factors Influencing Air Pollution in Residential and Commercial Structure. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021

Raising awareness about indoor air quality