America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers
Air Pollution Diminishes Future Generations’ Economic Opportunities
When severe forest fires last year blanketed Oregon and California with a thick layer of smoke, the high concentrations of fine particulate matter spewed into the air created one of the worst air pollution events in recent history.
A large body of research has documented that breathing in these fine particulates has severe negative health impacts, leading to cardiovascular disease and respiratory illness, and, in some cases, death.
Exposure to fine particulates has also been linked to lower educational attainment and reduced earnings.
Now new research by the U.S. Census Bureau suggests that exposure to fine particulates not only harms those directly exposed but may also indirectly impact the economic health of their children and grandchildren.
Continue reading to learn more about:
- Effect of pollution
- Pollution and demographics
- Connecting the dots with Census Bureau data
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