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Step 2: Plan clean air solutions

Reduce exposures to air pollution

Cutting emissions is essential, but cities also need to protect their people from air pollution’s worst health impacts, even as they work to reduce them. This section highlights resources that will help your city build a localized strategy for reducing exposures to safeguard community health, particularly during events like wildfires, periods of extreme heat and high ozone episodes.

Children, older adults, low‑income communities and black and brown communities often face higher pollution levels because they live closer to major sources and have access to fewer protections. Individuals with certain medical conditions can also be more susceptible to negative health impacts driven by exposure to air pollution. This section also provides case studies and analytical tools to help cities choose strategies that prioritize these most affected groups.

Washington DC air pollution heatmap
Nitrogen dioxide pollution contributes to approximately 3,500 new childhood asthma cases every year in the Washington D.C. metro region.
New York City air pollution heatmap
Nitrogen dioxide pollution contributes to approximately 21,000 new childhood asthma cases every year in the New York metro region.
Philadelphia air pollution heatmap
Nitrogen dioxide pollution contributes to approximately 4,000 new childhood asthma cases every year in the Philadelphia metro region.
Chicago air pollution heatmap
Nitrogen dioxide pollution contributes to more than 10,000 new childhood asthma cases every year in the Chicago metro region.
Boston air pollution heatmap
Nitrogen dioxide pollution contributes to approximately 2,700 new childhood asthma cases every year in the Boston metro region.
Austin air pollution heatmap
Nitrogen dioxide pollution contributes to more than 1,800 new childhood asthma cases every year in the Austin metro region.
Baltimore air pollution heatmap
Nitrogen dioxide pollution contributes to more than 1,300 new childhood asthma cases every year in Baltimore metro region.

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