Article
Environmental Sciences
Junghwan Kim, Mei-Po Kwan
Summary: The paper explores the neighborhood effect averaging problem and its impact on assessments of individual exposure to air pollution, highlighting different manifestations of the problem for different social/racial groups. Non-workers are found to not experience neighborhood effect averaging, leading to potentially higher exposures while traveling, highlighting the importance of considering mobility in studies related to environmental disparities.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yinhua Tao, Yanwei Chai, Xue Zhang, Jie Yang, Mei-Po Kwan
Summary: The study in urban China found that residents of different types of housing were exposed to varying PM2.5 concentrations, with residents of public low-rent housing being the disadvantaged group due to their limited mobility, exposure to serious air pollution at home, and insensitive stress responses to air pollution. These findings uncover a mobility-based environmental justice issue and provide references for residential mix policy to narrow the disparity in environmental pollution exposure.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jayajit Chakraborty
Summary: This study reveals that socially disadvantaged children in Texas are disproportionately exposed to higher levels of vehicular pollution in public school districts. These districts also have greater proportions of racial/ethnic minority, foreign-born, disabled, and socioeconomically vulnerable children. The findings emphasize the urgent need for mitigation strategies to reduce pollution exposure, especially in districts with higher proportions of socially disadvantaged students.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geography
Junghwan Kim, Mei-Po Kwan
Summary: The Neighborhood Effect Averaging Problem (NEAP) can lead to erroneous assessments when studying mobility-dependent exposures such as air or noise pollution. A study conducted in the Los Angeles metropolitan statistical area on 2,737 individuals showed that high-income, employed, younger, and male participants tend to have higher levels of neighborhood effect averaging compared to low-income, nonworking, older, and female participants.
ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF GEOGRAPHERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Noli Brazil
Summary: Research has shown that neighborhoods have an impact on the health and well-being of their residents. This impact is particularly significant in low-income and minority neighborhoods, which tend to have more disadvantageous conditions. Additionally, the study finds disparities in air pollution exposure between different neighborhoods.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Transportation
Jing Ma, Guanqiu Liu, Mei-Po Kwan, Yanwei Chai
Summary: The study found significant variations in travel satisfaction and co-exposure to real-time air pollution and noise among different transportation modes. Individuals using public transport experience higher levels of noise exposure and tend to have lower levels of travel satisfaction. While perceived air pollution and noise have direct impacts on travel experiences, the pathways between objective pollution and travel satisfaction differ for air pollution and noise.
TRAVEL BEHAVIOUR AND SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuzhou Wang, Joshua S. Apte, Jason D. Hill, Cesunica E. Ivey, Regan F. Patterson, Allen L. Robinson, Christopher W. Tessum, Julian D. Marshall
Summary: Air pollution levels in the United States have decreased, but racial-ethnic exposure disparities persist. Targeting specific locations for emission reductions can eliminate national exposure inequalities, while existing regulatory strategies require significant reductions. Additionally, location-specific strategies are found to be the most effective in reducing overall exposure and national inequalities.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Economics
Priyanka N. deSouza, Sudheer Ballare, Deb A. Niemeier
Summary: The rapid expansion of the warehousing industry, driven by economic growth and increasing household consumption, has disproportionately affected low-income minority communities. Our research reveals a significant association between warehouse activity and air pollution and noise levels in southern California.
JOURNAL OF TRANSPORT GEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juan Du, Liwen Sun
Summary: This study proposes a benefit allocation model of joint prevention and control of air pollution (JPCAP) based on environmental justice, which calculates the control objectives and total benefits of JPCAP through the adjustment of optimal removal rates. An improved Shapley method is adopted to clarify the interest demands of various control subjects and benefit compensation scheme. The empirical analysis on SO2 governance in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) and its surrounding areas shows that the benefit allocation model based on environmental justice can accurately evaluate the benefits of joint control and achieve symmetry between control costs and benefits.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juan Du, Liwen Sun
Summary: The study reveals that the joint prevention and control of air pollution (JPCAP) faces challenges due to low enthusiasm and unsatisfactory governance effects. By establishing a dynamic game model and analyzing changes in environmental tax rate and social welfare, it is found that the unfair distribution of social welfare among cities is a key factor in the unsatisfactory effect of JPCAP. Therefore, improving the JPCAP model by considering environmental justice can enhance social welfare in each city.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jayajit Chakraborty
Summary: This study addresses the social disparities in air pollution exposure by focusing on persons with disabilities (PwDs). The research finds that neighborhoods with higher exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) have a higher percentage of PwDs, especially those with cognitive and independent living difficulties. These findings provide an important starting point for further research and policy interventions to mitigate air pollution exposure for this vulnerable group.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yonghua Wu, Xu Yang, Haining Wang, Guang Jia, Tiancheng Wang
Summary: There is a significant association between PM2.5 exposure and blood Cd level in children, with younger children being more sensitive to Cd from PM2.5 exposure. There was no significant difference in PM2.5 concentration between heating and non-heating seasons in winter, and gender did not have a significant impact on children's blood Cd level.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Jun Wang, Wenshuai Xu, Xinlun Tian, Yanli Yang, Shao-Ting Wang, Kai-Feng Xu
Summary: The study found that air pollution has a negative impact on the lung function of adults with asthma. Exposure to carbon monoxide and particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter is associated with decreased large airway function. Chronic exposure to sulfur dioxide is associated with reduced lung function, particularly in patients with severe asthma.
FRONTIERS OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jing Shang, Zhaobin Sun, Shiguang Miao, Ishaq Dimeji Sulaymon, Tingting Han
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between air pollutants, temperature, and non accidental deaths in Beijing from 2013 to 2016 using piecewise regressions and the Generalized Additive Models (GAM). The study found that comprehensive environmental meteorological health indices were better predictors of non-accidental deaths than air quality health indices. The study also suggested optimizing different thresholds of environmental meteorological health indices for early warning of heat and cold exposures.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah E. Chambliss, Carlos P. R. Pinon, Kyle P. Messier, Brian LaFranchi, Crystal Romeo Upperman, Melissa M. Lunden, Allen L. Robinson, Julian D. Marshall, Joshua S. Apte
Summary: This study reveals that Hispanic and Black populations in urban areas are exposed to higher levels of ultrafine particles, nitrogen dioxide, and nitric oxide (8-30% above average) compared to White populations (9-14% below average). These racial/ethnic disparities in air pollution exposure are influenced by regional concentration gradients and demographic differences among cities and urban districts, as well as localized pollution peaks.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Editorial Material
Geography
Rachel S. Franklin, Elizabeth C. Delmelle, Clio Andris, Tao Cheng, Somayeh Dodge, Janet Franklin, Alison Heppenstall, Mei-Po Kwan, WenWen Li, Sara McLafferty, Jennifer A. Miller, Darla K. Munroe, Trisalyn Nelson, Ozge Oner, Denise Pumain, Kathleen Stewart, Daoqin Tong, Elizabeth A. Wentz
Summary: Geographical analysis has the potential and power to enhance our understanding of the importance of space and place. It can advance research on key aspects such as accessibility, urban change, and spatial interaction and behavior, leading to innovative and novel approaches for addressing local and global challenges.
GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dong Liu, Mei-Po Kwan, Zihan Kan, Yimeng Song, Xuefeng Li
Summary: This study uses an improved gravity-based model to measure the racial/ethnic inequity in transit-based spatial accessibility to COVID-19 vaccination sites in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. The results show that minority-dominated neighborhoods have significantly lower transit-based spatial accessibility to COVID-19 vaccination sites.
JOURNAL OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC HEALTH DISPARITIES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yang Liu, Mei-Po Kwan, Zihan Kan
Summary: As public awareness of air quality issues increases, academic interest in people's perception of air quality also grows. However, data on people's perceived environment need to be carefully examined before being used in environmental health studies. This research examines the associations between people's perceptions of air quality and their self-reported respiratory health symptoms using data from participants in two communities in Hong Kong. The results show a weak but significant association between people's perceived air quality and their self-reported frequency of respiratory symptoms. However, there are disparities in this association between different genders, age groups, household income levels, education levels, marital statuses, and geographic contexts.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Dong Liu, Mei-Po Kwan, Zihan Kan
Summary: Good access to greenspace and healthy food has been associated with positive health outcomes, but some studies have found no significant relationship. Examining inequalities in accessing greenspace and healthy food in disadvantaged neighborhoods can reveal racial/ethnic disparities in segregated cities. However, existing studies often focus on measuring inequality in accessing either greenspace or healthy food alone, leading to an inaccurate depiction of disadvantaged neighborhoods' healthy living environments. This study aims to improve the assessment of doubly disadvantaged neighborhoods by considering accessibility to both greenspace and healthy food in Chicago. The results show that black-majority neighborhoods are the most doubly disadvantaged in terms of exposure to healthy living environments. This study can inform policymakers to allocate more resources to improve the urban environment in these doubly disadvantaged neighborhoods.
APPLIED SPATIAL ANALYSIS AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Longxu Yan, Rui Zhu, Mei-Po Kwan, Wei Luo, De Wang, Shangwu Zhang, Man Sing Wong, Linlin You, Bisheng Yang, Biyu Chen, Ling Feng
Summary: This study develops a detail-oriented deep learning approach to construct 3D building models from high-resolution satellite images and estimate PV potential. Two convolutional neural networks were developed and trained on datasets targeting Shanghai, and accuracy assessments suggest satisfactory results. The proposed model is novel and effective for constructing 3D building models that can facilitate PV penetration and urban studies.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qiang Wang, Jie Fan, Mei-Po Kwan, Kan Zhou, Guofeng Shen, Na Li, Bowei Wu, Jian Lin
Summary: Since 2013, China has made remarkable progress in transitioning from traditional solid fuels to clean energy. However, this transition has disproportionately affected poor households, leading to concerns about the increasing energy burden. Although there has been a decrease in energy cost inequality, there is a growing disparity in energy burden between rural and urban households.
Article
Geography
Jianwei Huang, Mei -Po Kwan
Summary: This study investigates the association between multiple environmental exposures and housing conditions with individuals' COVID-19 risk using individual-level data. The study finds that greenspace, PM2.5, noise, housing types, ownership, and overcrowding are all associated with individuals' COVID-19 risk in residential neighborhoods and along daily mobility trajectories. Furthermore, the study reveals the presence of social inequalities in COVID-19 risk.
Article
Geography
Jianying Wang, Mei-Po Kwan, Dong Liu, Xia Peng
Summary: China plans to construct SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing sites within a 15-min walk in most major cities to identify asymptomatic cases and curb the transmission of COVID-19. Spatial distribution of 15-min accessibility to PCR test sites in Beijing and Guangzhou was analyzed in this study, revealing that disruptions in normal commuting can negatively impact accessibility and increase inequality. The research provides policymakers with valuable information about test site accessibility and highlights the effects of travel disruptions.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Yang Liu, Changda Yu, Keli Wang, Mei-Po Kwan, Lap Ah Tse
Summary: The effects of artificial light at night (ALAN) on human health have gained significant attention in the past two decades. Many studies have discussed the diverse impacts of ALAN on human health, highlighting the need for a broader understanding. This paper presents a systematic evidence map in a multi-component framework, linking ALAN with human health through an extensive review of English research articles. The findings reveal both direct and indirect effects of ALAN on human physical and mental health, as well as its role as a social determinant of health. The paper also proposes promising directions for future studies, including method design, co-exposure and exposome studies, and social and environmental justice.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zherong Wu, Xinyang Zhang, Peifeng Ma, Mei-Po Kwan, Yang Liu
Summary: Urbanization has led to environmental challenges, with the urban heat island effect being a prominent concern. This study utilized remote sensing techniques and various analytical methods to investigate the spatiotemporal patterns and influencing factors of land surface temperature (LST) in Hong Kong. The findings reveal an increasing trend in LST, negative correlations with vegetation and water bodies, and a positive correlation with built-up areas. Built-up areas were identified as the dominant influence, contributing to a significant portion of elevated LST levels. These insights provide valuable guidance for policymakers and urban planners in promoting sustainable urban development.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wenzhen Li, Dajie Chen, Ying Peng, Zuxun Lu, Mei-Po Kwan, Lap Ah Tse
Summary: This study aimed to examine the associations of MetS with all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Data from the NHANES III (1988-1994) and continuous NHANES (1999-2014) in the United States were used, including 36,414 adults. The study found that individuals with MetS had a significantly higher risk of all-cause, heart disease, and diabetes mortality, but no significant association was found for cancer mortality.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2023)
Article
Remote Sensing
Yuan Meng, Man Sing Wong, Mei-Po Kwan, Jamie Pearce, Zhiqiang Feng
Summary: This study proposes a multi-spatial framework to analyze the effects of morphological and socioeconomic changes on urban land use transformation in megacities. The results show that driving factors at different spatial levels have different impacts on urban land use transformation.
GEO-SPATIAL INFORMATION SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Transportation
Dong Liu, Mei-Po Kwan, Jianying Wang
Summary: The 15-minute city concept has been adopted by many cities worldwide to create compact and livable urban environments where residents can access essential urban functions within a 15-minute active travel radius. However, there is a lack of comprehensive measures and understanding of the 15-minute city status. This study proposes a 15-minute city index that incorporates accessibility to five categories of POI locations using the latest population census and POI data in Hong Kong.
TRAVEL BEHAVIOUR AND SOCIETY
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mei-Po Kwan, Jianwei Huang, Zihan Kan
Summary: As COVID-19 control measures using individual-level georeferenced data become more prevalent, concerns for geoprivacy have risen. A cross-sectional survey conducted in six study areas revealed that people's political views, perceived social norms, and individualism shape their privacy concerns and acceptance of these control measures.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH GEOGRAPHICS
(2023)
Article
Geography
Zihan Kan, Mei-Po Kwan, Jianwei Huang, Jiannan Cai, Dong Liu
Summary: This study examines the impacts of sociodemographic factors, individual mobility patterns, and daily activities on individual exposure to COVID-19 risk when assessed by different risk measures. The study reveals the spatial differences in COVID-19 transmission risk and highlights the importance of considering individual mobility patterns in understanding disease exposure. The research contributes to the current literature by addressing the uncertain geographic context problem and exploring COVID-19 risk exposure.
ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF GEOGRAPHERS
(2023)