The Salt Lake Tribune reports on a new scientific study that found that there are more school absences the day after air pollution is higher, even when the air pollution is well below current EPA standards. The researchers found this to be true for both fine particle (PM2.5) and ozone air pollution.
The researchers found an increase in absences the day after PM2.5 levels were higher than average, and also for the next few days after PM2.5 levels. This was true when the higher PM2.5 levels were still well below current EPA standards. There were even more absences in the parts of Salt Lake City where PM2.5 levels tend to be higher, which are also neighborhoods where black and brown people are more likely to live, again showing the structural problems built into our living spaces that perpetuate environmental racism.
They also found more absences the day after a higher ozone level, even when the higher ozone level was <55ppb, well below the current standard. There were increased absences following higher ozone days the full academic year, even though most of the school year takes place when ozone is not at its summer peaks.
In addition to missing school, a school absence has a big economic effect on a family when a parent has to take off work to care for a sick child, and it is a burden for families that qualify for free breakfast and lunch for their children at school.
This study clearly shows that air pollution hurts school children and families in many ways, at levels well below current standards.
Read the story in the Salt Lake Tribune here.
Read the scientific article here.
11/09/21
