Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA.
Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jan 11;18(2):554. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18020554.
Air pollution is a major contributor to human morbidity and mortality, potentially exacerbated by COVID-19, and a threat to planetary health. Participatory research, with a structural violence framework, illuminates exposure inequities and refines mitigation strategies. Home to profitable oil and shipping industries, several census tracts in Richmond, CA are among the most heavily impacted by aggregate burdens statewide. Formally trained researchers from the Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH) partnered with the RYSE youth justice center to conduct youth participatory action research on air quality justice. Staff engaged five youth researchers in: (1) collaborative research using a network of passive air monitors to quantify neighborhood disparities in nitrogen dioxide (NO) and sulfur dioxide (SO), noise pollution and community risk factors; (2) training in environmental health literacy and professional development; and (3) interpretation of findings, community outreach and advocacy. Inequities in ambient NO, but not SO, were observed. Census tracts with higher Black populations had the highest NO. Proximity to railroads and major roadways were associated with higher NO. Greenspace was associated with lower NO, suggesting investment may be conducive to improved air quality, among many additional benefits. Youth improved in measures of empowerment, and advanced community education via workshops, Photovoice, video, and "zines".
空气污染是导致人类发病率和死亡率的主要因素，可能因 COVID-19 而加剧，对地球健康构成威胁。参与式研究采用结构性暴力框架，揭示了暴露的不平等，并完善了缓解策略。加利福尼亚州里士满的几个普查区是受益于石油和航运业的地区，但也是受全州总负担影响最严重的地区之一。来自环境研究与儿童健康中心（CERCH）的经过正式培训的研究人员与 RYSE 青年司法中心合作，就空气质量正义问题对青年进行参与式行动研究。工作人员让五名青年研究人员参与：（1）使用被动空气监测器网络进行合作研究，以量化氮氧化物（NO）和二氧化硫（SO）、噪声污染和社区风险因素在邻里之间的差异；（2）环境健康素养和专业发展培训；（3）对调查结果进行解释、社区外展和宣传。观察到环境中 NO 的不平等，但 SO 没有不平等。黑人人口较多的普查区的 NO 最高。靠近铁路和主要道路与较高的 NO 有关。绿地与较低的 NO 有关，这表明投资可能有利于改善空气质量，以及许多其他好处。青年在赋权措施方面有所改善，并通过研讨会、照片、视频和“杂志”等方式提高了社区教育水平。
