Using historical atmospheric pollution data to prioritize environmental sampling in urban areas

Abstract

Even when atmospheric particulate matter (PM) pollution declines in urban settings, the residual effects of PM can still be felt by the community. Specifically, PM containing elevated levels of lead (Pb) can accumulate in soils and pose an ingestion/inhalation risk well after deposition because of the relatively immobile chemical nature of Pb. This short communication utilizes a case study of Memphis, TN, where particulate pollution has been reported at high levels. Through conducting time series analysis of atmospheric Pb concentrations, a Pb pollution hot spot in Southwest Memphis is identified as a location where urban soil Pb testing should be focused because of high particulate Pb concentrations in the past. Furthermore, residents in this area are predominantly low income and of ethnic minority (African-American), reiterating previous literature regarding uneven distribution of demographics exposed to pollution in Memphis. Although Pb PM pollution has decreased in recent decades throughout the United States, the use of past Pb air monitoring data in cities can help target specific areas where additional Pb testing may be needed by governments and researchers, particularly where blood Pb level or historical land use data may be limited.