Addressing the Invisible Crisis: Air Pollution, Low-Income Communities, and the Need for CO₂ Regulation

Air pollution remains an underrecognized public health crisis in the United States,disproportionately impacting low-income and minority communities. Exposure to fineparticulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) has been linked to increased mortality,cognitive decline, and chronic health conditions—even at levels considered “safe” by currentregulations. In Massachusetts, extensive research highlights how environmental inequitiesintersect with systemic racial and economic disparities, with marginalized populations facingsignificantly higher pollutant exposure and related health burdens. These inequities arefurther exacerbated by inadequate housing conditions and proximity to traffic and industrialsources. Climate change compounds these challenges, as rising CO₂ emissions contribute toheatwaves, wildfires, and ground-level ozone, intensifying pollution and health risks inalready overburdened communities. This article calls for robust CO₂ regulation andclimate-smart public health policies that prioritize environmental justice. By addressing bothgreenhouse gas emissions and co-pollutants, such interventions can reduce health disparities,improve urban resilience, and promote equitable access to clean air.