PM2.5 exposure disparities persist despite strict vehicle emissions controls in California

As policymakers increasingly focus on environmental justice, a key question is whether emissions reductions aimed at addressing air quality or climate change can also ameliorate persistent air pollution exposure disparities. We examine evidence from California’s aggressive vehicle emissions control policy from 2000-2019. We find a 65% reduction in modeled statewide average exposure to PM2.5 from on-road vehicles, yet for people of color and overburdened community residents, relative exposure disparities increased. Light-duty vehicle emissions are the main driver of the exposure and exposure disparity, although smaller contributions from heavy-duty vehicles especially impact some overburdened groups. Our findings suggest that a continued trend of emissions reductions will likely reduce concentrations and absolute disparity but may not reduce relative disparities without greater attention to the systemic factors leading to this disparity.