Inequitable Exposure to Air Pollution from Vehicles in California

The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that PM2.5 pollution from cars, trucks, and buses in California is inequitably distributed, with African American, Latino, and Asian residents, as well as low-income households, facing significantly higher exposure than white and wealthier residents. The analysis identifies Southern California, particularly Los Angeles County, as having the highest average exposure, and estimates that on-road transportation leads to approximately 3,100 premature deaths annually in the state.

• Exposure to PM2.5 from on-road vehicles is disproportionately higher for communities of color compared to white Californians. Specifically, African American, Latino, and Asian Californians are exposed to PM2.5 pollution levels that are 43, 39, and 21 percent higher, respectively, than white Californians.
• There is a strong correlation between household income and pollution exposure. Households with the lowest incomes (under $20,000 per year) are exposed to more than 25 percent more particulate matter air pollution than those with the highest incomes (over $200,000 per year). Additionally, HUD-designated low-income areas show average PM2.5 levels from on-road vehicles that are 32 percent higher than areas outside these designations.
• Geographic distribution of vehicle-related PM2.5 is uneven, with Southern California bearing the highest burden. Los Angeles County has the highest average exposure in the state, which is 60 percent higher than the state average and 250 percent higher than the San Francisco Bay Area.
• On-road transportation is estimated to cause approximately 3,100 premature deaths per year in California due to illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. The annual economic cost of these projected deaths is estimated at $29 billion.
• Individuals in households without a personal vehicle face higher exposure levels, averaging 19 percent above the state average, largely because these households tend to be located in high-density urban areas with concentrated traffic.
• The report argues that vehicle electrification, cleaner fuels, and reduced driving can mitigate these health and equity issues. Specifically, battery-electric and fuel cell vehicles are highlighted as critical solutions because they have no tailpipe emissions and eliminate gasoline refueling emissions.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2019). Inequitable Exposure to Air Pollution from Vehicles in California. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2019/02/cv-air-pollution-CA-web.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Inequitable Exposure to Air Pollution from Vehicles in California. 2019. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2019/02/cv-air-pollution-CA-web.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Inequitable Exposure to Air Pollution from Vehicles in California |date=February 2019 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2019/02/cv-air-pollution-CA-web.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2019inequitable, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Inequitable Exposure to Air Pollution from Vehicles in California}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2019}, month = feb, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2019/02/cv-air-pollution-CA-web.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }