Ambient Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and its Composition: A Groundbreaking Web-Based Tool Sheds Light on Disparities
Ambient Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and its ... Mount Sinai
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Air Pollution Disparities
Article Details
- New York, NY
- (November 21, 2023)
A team of researchers led by the Institute for Climate Change, Environmental Health, and Exposomics at Mount Sinai has developed an innovative web-based tool that provides accessible insights into disparities in exposure to fine particulate airborne matter, known as PM2.5.
PM2.5 has long been recognized as a significant health concern, with strong links to increased mortality and morbidity. It often disproportionately affects minority and low-income communities.
While existing research has illuminated these disparities, it has largely focused on describing and explaining them. What has been missing is a comprehensive assessment of exposure disparities to the main components of PM2.5 and a means of communicating these disparities in a way that is easily digestible for the general public. Further, PM2.5 composition is location-specific and reduction plans need to account for which emitting sectors are of highest priority in each area.
The research team’s “Air Pollution Components Mapper” is the first air quality mapper that shows exposure disparities for ambient fine particulate matter composition; it combines high-resolution predictions of PM2.5 components with demographic data from the U.S. decennial census, delivering a powerful visualization of the relationships between exposure and demographic variables.
“This research has far-reaching applications, making air quality data more accessible to the public and informing policy outcomes,” said Heresh Amini, PhD, MSc, senior author and Associate Professor of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “By raising awareness and providing accessible tools for understanding air pollution disparities, this innovation has the potential to drive positive change for affected communities and contribute to a healthier, more equitable future.”
You can explore the Air Pollution Components Mapper at https://disparitiesmapper.github.io/. Its key features include:
- High-Resolution Data: The tool uses a 50m x 50m grid to offer fine-grained predictions of PM2.5 components, including elemental carbon, ammonium, nitrate, organic carbon, and sulfate.
- User-Friendly Interface: Leveraging the ArcGIS Javascript API, the mapper is designed for easy interaction, with controls allowing users to modify selected measures and preferred styles of visualization.
- Broad Accessibility: Accessible from any web-enabled device, the mapper is available to a wide audience, making critical information about air pollution disparities more widely available.
To underscore the health concern around PM2.5, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its guidelines for this harmful pollutant in 2021 to no more than 5 micrograms per cubic meter as an annual average, down from 10 micrograms per cubic meter. Because PM2.5 composition varies depending on the location, the updated WHO guidelines can be difficult to achieve. For example, in New York City, traffic is a major source of PM2.5. In other parts of the country, agricultural activities or organic carbon may contribute more to PM2.5 levels.
The Air Pollution Components Mapper can help communities identify the most relevant sources and components of PM2.5 in their area and facilitate targeted reduction programs to meet the WHO target.
This work was published in Environmental Modelling & Software on November 20, 2023. Read the full paper at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2023.105881.
About the Mount Sinai Health System
Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with more than 43,000 employees working across eight hospitals, over 400 outpatient practices, nearly 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time — discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it.
Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients’ medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes approximately 7,300 primary and specialty care physicians; 13 joint-venture outpatient surgery centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and more than 30 affiliated community health centers. We are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals, receiving high “Honor Roll” status, and are highly ranked: No. 1 in Geriatrics and top 20 in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology/Lung Surgery, Rehabilitation, and Urology. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 12 in Ophthalmology. U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” ranks Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital among the country’s best in several pediatric specialties.
For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the health concerns related to exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is connected to SDG 3. It also highlights the disparities in exposure, particularly affecting minority and low-income communities, which relates to SDG 10. The article also mentions the need for reduction plans in specific locations, indicating a connection to SDG 11. Finally, the article acknowledges the impact of PM2.5 on climate change, aligning with SDG 13.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
- Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
Based on the issues discussed in the article, these targets are relevant to address the health impacts of PM2.5 exposure, reduce inequalities in exposure, improve air quality in cities, and raise awareness about climate change.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, the article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:
- Number of deaths and illnesses related to hazardous chemicals and air pollution (Target 3.9)
- Level of inclusion and empowerment of communities affected by PM2.5 exposure (Target 10.2)
- Adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, specifically air quality (Target 11.6)
- Level of education, awareness, and capacity on climate change mitigation and adaptation (Target 13.3)
These indicators can be used to track progress in reducing health impacts, addressing inequalities, improving air quality, and increasing awareness about climate change.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Number of deaths and illnesses related to hazardous chemicals and air pollution. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. | Level of inclusion and empowerment of communities affected by PM2.5 exposure. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | Adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, specifically air quality. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. | Level of education, awareness, and capacity on climate change mitigation and adaptation. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: mountsinai.org
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