California’s low-income communities still breathe dirty air even after reducing emissions

California has made significant progress in reducing harmful vehicle emissions, yet people of color and those in heavily impacted communities still experience higher exposure to dangerous air pollutants, according to new research.

Key points:

- Over the past two decades, California has decreased emissions by 65%, particularly from vehicles, but disparities in exposure persist among Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities.

- Areas often situated near freeways or industrial zones experience the highest levels of PM2.5 pollution, despite overall state improvements.

- Researchers are advocating for targeted policies to tackle these inequalities and lower pollution levels in the most affected neighbourhoods.

Why it matters:

Although California has improved air quality, marginalized communities continue to be at risk from vehicle emissions. Ongoing efforts are crucial to ensure that these populations also gain from cleaner air initiatives.