A recent study by the University of Utah has exposed significant flaws in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) air pollution monitoring system, revealing that communities of color are disproportionately affected by a lack of air quality data. Analyzing EPA data from 2019 to 2024, the research focused on pollution levels impacting 3.3 million people and found that air quality monitoring stations are more frequently located in predominantly white neighborhoods, leaving communities of color—especially Native American, Pacific Islander, and other minority groups—underrepresented.

The study highlights a critical environmental justice issue: areas with the highest pollution levels, often home to Black, Latino, Indigenous, and low-income populations, are not adequately covered by the official air quality monitoring network. These communities, typically located near highways, factories, or power plants, suffer from concentrated pollution but lack the necessary infrastructure to monitor environmental hazards or track health impacts.

The research reveals that rural, tribal, and lower-income areas face particular gaps in air pollution monitoring, especially for six major pollutants, including sulfur dioxide and lead. These pollutants are linked to serious health problems such as asthma, heart disease, and developmental issues in children. The absence of monitors in these communities creates an incomplete and skewed picture of the nation’s environmental health, making it difficult to address the pollution-related harm these areas face.

One alarming finding is the lack of monitoring on tribal lands, which fall under EPA jurisdiction. While Utah follows federal siting rules for pollution stations, tribal lands often lack sufficient monitoring, leaving Indigenous communities vulnerable to pollution without the data necessary to advocate for better protections. Many tribal and rural areas are either underserved or have no air quality monitors at all.

For decades, environmental justice advocates have warned about the lack of data representation for marginalized communities. The study supports their concerns, demonstrating how inadequate monitoring leads to an unequal distribution of both environmental risks and public health protections. These communities, which suffer most from pollution, are the least likely to have the data needed to demand action, leaving them exposed to health risks without recourse.

The lack of localized air quality data makes it harder to track the health impacts of pollution, particularly in areas already struggling with high rates of asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Without proper monitoring, harmful exposures often go unnoticed by regulators and public health agencies, impeding effective policymaking to reduce pollution’s harmful effects.

The issue is even more severe in rural areas, where the absence of pollution monitoring means these communities remain invisible to the systems designed to protect public health. This continued neglect perpetuates a cycle of environmental injustice, where the most vulnerable populations are left unprotected and unheard.

Experts agree that addressing these disparities in air quality monitoring is essential to achieving environmental justice. Advocates are calling for expanded monitoring networks in underserved areas, more transparency, and increased community involvement in decision-making processes related to air quality. The University of Utah study underscores the urgent need for more inclusive data and monitoring to mitigate the health consequences of air pollution on marginalized communities.

Without better monitoring systems, it will be difficult to fully understand and address the health impacts of pollution on these communities. Advocates hope that increased awareness of these disparities will prompt policy changes that prioritize the health and safety of all Americans, regardless of race, income, or geographic location. Until then, the most vulnerable communities will continue to bear the brunt of pollution, with little recognition or protection from the systems meant to shield them.