College of the Environment Graduate and Undergraduate Publications

Date Permissions Signed

8-19-2016

College Affiliation

Huxley College of the Environment

Date of Award

Summer 2016

Document Type

Honors Senior Project

Department or Program Affiliation

Department of Environmental Studies

Department

Environmental Sciences

First Advisor

Abel, Troy D.

Second Advisor

Housen, Bernard Arthur

Third Advisor

Bauman, Jenise

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) air pollution is a major public health issue across the United States. PM air pollution is sourced from a variety of industrial, transportation, and fuel combustion processes (EPA 2016). Through increases in regulation standards, PM air pollution has been gradually decreasing over the past twenty years (Appendix 1.1). Between 1990 and 2011 air toxins and toxicants in the United States decreased by over 60% according to the EPA (2016). Unhealthy air quality days, caused by ozone and particulate matter 2.5 microns (PM2.5), also decreased from 2,076 days in 2000 to 675 days in 2014 (EPA 2016). Many of these reductions have been from changes in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Unfortunately, EPA’s PM2.5 health standard goals still are not being met. In the Puget Sound region, three counties are still exceeding NAAQS PM2.5 standard goals (PSCCA 2014). While the EPA’s most recent air quality assessment has shown positive results in air quality mitigation (Appendix 1.2), the results fail to recognize the continued public health issues and disparities of air pollution in neighborhoods within cities. Research has shown less affluent communities and communities of color are exposed to higher levels of air pollution than the wealthier and whiter communities (Bell 2012). This trend is clearly shown in Seattle, Washington.

Type

Text

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

990311598

Subject – LCSH

Trees in cities--Effect of pollution on--Washington (State)--Seattle--Measurement; Air--Pollution--Washington (State)--Seattle--Measurement

Geographic Coverage

Seattle (Wash.)

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

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