PM polluters disproportionately and systemically affect people of color in the United States.

Racial-ethnic minorities in the United States are exposed to disproportionately high levels of ambient fine particulate air pollution (PM), the largest environmental cause of human mortality. However, it is unknown which emission sources drive this disparity and whether differences exist by emission sector, geography, or demographics. Quantifying the PM exposure caused by each emitter type, we show that nearly all major emission categories-consistently across states, urban and rural areas, income levels, and exposure levels-contribute to the systemic PM exposure disparity experienced by people of color.

Inequity in consumption of goods and services adds to racial-ethnic disparities in air pollution exposure.

Fine particulate matter (PM) air pollution exposure is the largest environmental health risk factor in the United States. Here, we link PM exposure to the human activities responsible for PM pollution. We use these results to explore "pollution inequity": the difference between the environmental health damage caused by a racial-ethnic group and the damage that group experiences.