Distance decay gradients in hazardous air pollution concentrations around oil and natural gas facilities in the city of Los Angeles: A pilot study

Abstract

In this work, we investigate air pollutant distance decay gradients around an upstream oil and natural gas (ONG) facility located within a densely populated urban community in South Los Angeles. Despite the difficulties associated with interpreting air quality measurements in complex, multi-source urban environments, this pilot investigation was able to identify distance decay around the target ONG site and distinguish added air quality burden of several volatile organic compounds associated with ONG operations. Moving forward, we recommend additional research to better distinguish air quality contributions from ONG in urban environments.