California Air Resources Board

Principal Investigator/Author: Jing Li

Contractor: University of California, Los Angeles

Sub-contractor: San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility (SF Bay PSR), Central California Asthma Collaborative (CCAC), Redeemer Community Partnership (RedeemerCP)

Contract Number: 24RD005

Project Status: Active

Relevant CARB Programs: Indoor Air, Zero-Emission Space and Water Heater Standards

Topic Areas: Environmental Justice, Indoor Air Quality & Exposure, Health Effects of Air Pollution, Toxic Air Contaminants

Research Summary:

This study aims to address three key questions with an environmental justice lens: (1) What are the toxic air contaminants (TAC) emission profiles of residential heating and cooking appliances of concern in California? (2) How do these TAC emissions contribute to indoor and outdoor air quality in the state? (3) What are the disparities in exposure and health impacts attributed to TAC emissions between disadvantaged communities (DAC) and non-DAC?

To address these questions, UCLA has assembled a research team comprising members from both academia and community-based organizations. The study will systematically profile statewide emissions of TAC resulting from the leakage and combustion of residential heating and cooking appliances, while also investigating disparities in exposure and health impacts. The research methods include identifying key residential appliances of concern, examining TAC emission profiles including composition, concentrations, and emission rates, estimating TAC emission contributions to indoor and outdoor air quality, and evaluating exposure and health impact disparities among communities.  The findings will enhance community awareness of TAC exposures from residential appliances and highlight the disparities in their associated health impacts. The findings will provide critical data to inform targeted interventions and regulatory actions aimed at reducing TAC emissions from residential appliances, thereby improving air quality and public health in diverse California communities.

Keywords: residential appliances, toxic air contaminants, environmental justice, community partners, health impacts, air quality, disparities, emission profiles