The study, by the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies, found that the average traffic-related air pollution exposure in the most burdened communities was 1.3 times higher than the average exposure in the least burdened communities.
The researchers ranked all 517 census tracts in Los Angeles County based on a number of factors related to traffic pollution, including the amount and speed of traffic, the distance from major roads and the number of days with poor air quality.
The most-burdened communities were concentrated in South Los Angeles and East Los Angeles, while the least-burdened communities were mostly in the Westside and the San Fernando Valley.
The findings highlight the need for targeted policies to reduce air pollution in disadvantaged communities, said lead author Michael Jerrett, a professor at UCLA's Institute of the Environment and Sustainability.
"We need to make sure that we're investing in communities that are disproportionately burdened by air pollution, and we need to do more to reduce traffic congestion and make our transportation system more sustainable," he said.
The study's findings are consistent with previous research showing that traffic-related air pollution is a significant health risk, particularly for people with heart and lung problems. Air pollution can also harm pregnant women and children, and contribute to the development of asthma and other chronic diseases.
"This study adds to the growing body of evidence that air pollution is a major environmental justice issue," said co-author Genevieve Giuliano, a professor at the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies. "We need to take action now to address this problem and protect the health of all Angelenos."
The study was published in the journal Environmental Research Letters.
