"Freedom to Breathe": Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) to Investigate Air Pollution Inequities in Richmond, CA

Abstract

Air pollution is a major contributor to human morbidity and mortality, potentially exacerbated by COVID-19, and a threat to planetary health. Participatory research, with a structural violence framework, illuminates exposure inequities and refines mitigation strategies. Home to profitable oil and shipping industries, several census tracts in Richmond, CA are among the most heavily impacted by aggregate burdens statewide. Formally trained researchers from the Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH) partnered with the RYSE youth justice center to conduct youth participatory action research on air quality justice. Staff engaged five youth researchers in: (1) collaborative research using a network of passive air monitors to quantify neighborhood disparities in nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂), noise pollution and community risk factors; (2) training in environmental health literacy and professional development; and (3) interpretation of findings, community outreach and advocacy. Inequities in ambient NO₂, but not SO₂, were observed. Census tracts with higher Black populations had the highest NO₂. Proximity to railroads and major roadways were associated with higher NO₂. Greenspace was associated with lower NO₂, suggesting investment may be conducive to improved air quality, among many additional benefits. Youth improved in measures of empowerment, and advanced community education via workshops, Photovoice, video, and "zines".

Keywords: air pollution; inequity; structural violence; youth empowerment.

Figure 1

Map of sample sites for Atchison Village, South of Atchison (along I-580), and North Richmond. Darker red colors of sample sites indicate higher NO₂ concentrations.

Figure 2

Boxplots displaying measured concentrations. (A) NO₂ and (B) SO₂ for each Richmond neighborhood monitored in our study (21 December–15 January 2018). Asterisk (*) indicates that North Richmond had significantly lower (p < 0.05) NO₂ concentrations compared to all other monitored neighborhoods. Unfilled circles indicate outliers.

Figure 3

Boxplots of air and noise pollution, sources and demographics. (A) Neighborhood-level summary scores for air and noise pollution measurements (sum of NO₂ + SO₂ + noise Z-scores); (B) neighborhood-level summary scores for air pollution sources (sum of major roadway density + railway density + regulated site density Z-scores), Asterisk (*) indicates that North Richmond had significantly lower (p < 0.05) NO₂ concentrations compared to all other monitored neighborhoods; (C) proportion of census tract that are Non-Hispanic Black; and (D) proportion in census tract that are Hispanic. Unfilled circles indicate outliers.