The EPA’s air quality monitors are disproportionately positioned in whiter neighborhoods in the US, new research has found.⁠ ⁠ The disparity leaves communities of color less protected from dangerous pollutants like particulate matter, ozone, nitrous dioxide and lead, among others.⁠ ⁠ Policy and actions the EPA takes to reduce pollution are developed from the monitors’ readings, and communities of color are broadly more likely to be near major polluters.⁠ ⁠ The study consistently found a lower average of monitors for particulate matter, ozone, nitrous dioxide and lead across all non-white groups. The chemicals are linked to a range of health effects like asthma, chest pain, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity in developing children, and cancer.⁠ ⁠ Researchers found that the highest disparity in monitors for sulfur dioxide in Native American and Pacific Islander groups. Sulfur dioxide is a common emission during natural gas and petroleum extraction, oil refining and metal processing. It can cause difficulty breathing and exacerbate other respiratory issues.⁠ ⁠ The findings raise questions about whether the agency has enough monitors installed, is properly placing them, and whether conclusions about the safety of the air in some areas are sound.⁠ ⁠ Follow the link in bio for the full story.