The Department of Health and Mental Hygene (DoHMH) has an interesting set of maps showing which communities are most impacted by small particulate matter – PM2.5 – which comes from burning/exhaust.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are tiny airborne solid and liquid particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter. PM2.5 in NYC comes from inside and outside the city from all kinds of combustion activity, including the burning of fuel in vehicles, buildings, power plants, and construction equipment, as well as commercial cooking and industrial activities. PM2.5 can either come directly from these sources or be formed in the atmosphere from other pollutants.

PM2.5 is the most harmful urban air pollutant, small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, resulting in adverse respiratory and cardiovascular health outcomes and contributing to an increased risk of death and lower life expectancy.

In New York City, current PM2.5 levels contribute to 2300 deaths and 6300 emergency department visits and hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular disease each year. 17% of all emissions come from traffic.

PM2.5 and related health problems from traffic are highest in the poorest neighborhoods in fact, PM2.5 levels from all traffic sources are 50% higher in high poverty neighborhoods relative to low poverty neighborhoods.

Trucks and Busses’ PM2.5 Contributions:

Cars’ PM2.5 Contributions:

PM2.5 From All Sources:

For the DoHMH infographic, see:

http://a816-dohbesp.nyc.gov/IndicatorPublic/Traffic/index.html