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National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

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Your Environment. Your Health.

Publication Detail

Title: Air Pollution in American Indian Versus Non-American Indian Communities, 2000-2018.

Authors: Li, Maggie; Hilpert, Markus; Goldsmith, Jeff; Brooks, Jada L; Shearston, Jenni A; Chillrud, Steven N; Ali, Tauqeer; Umans, Jason G; Best, Lyle G; Yracheta, Joseph; van Donkelaar, Aaron; Martin, Randall V; Navas-Acien, Ana; Kioumourtzoglou, Marianthi-Anna

Published In Am J Public Health, (2022 Apr)

Abstract: Objectives. To compare fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in American Indian (AI)-populated with those in non-AI-populated counties over time (2000-2018) in the contiguous United States. Methods. We used a multicriteria approach to classify counties as AI- or non--AI-populated. We ran linear mixed effects models to estimate the difference in countywide annual PM2.5 concentrations from well-validated prediction models and monitoring sites (modeled and measured PM2.5, respectively) in AI- versus non-AI-populated counties. Results. On average, adjusted modeled PM2.5 concentrations in AI-populated counties were 0.38 micrograms per cubic meter (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.23, 0.54) lower than in non-AI-populated counties. However, this difference was not constant over time: in 2000, modeled concentrations in AI-populated counties were 1.46 micrograms per cubic meter (95% CI = 1.25, 1.68) lower, and by 2018, they were 0.66 micrograms per cubic meter (95% CI = 0.45, 0.87) higher. Over the study period, adjusted modeled PM2.5 mean concentrations decreased by 2.13 micrograms per cubic meter in AI-populated counties versus 4.26 micrograms per cubic meter in non-AI-populated counties. Results were similar for measured PM2.5. Conclusions. This study highlights disparities in PM2.5 trends between AI- and non-AI-populated counties over time, underscoring the need to strengthen air pollution regulations and prevention implementation in tribal territories and areas where AI populations live. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(4): 615-623. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306650).

PubMed ID: 35319962 Exiting the NIEHS site

MeSH Terms: Air Pollution*; American Indian or Alaska Native; Humans; Indians, North American*; Linear Models; Particulate Matter; United States

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