(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2021-04)
Chatman, Olivia E.
In the United States, the existence of air pollutants, which may have adverse effects on respiratory health, have disproportionately impacted communities of color and of lower socioeconomic statuses, an issue described as environmental injustice. Following the spread of the COVID-19 respiratory virus in late 2019 that resulted in a global pandemic, and has also disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations, identifying the correlations between the air quality and COVID-19 occurrences among BIPOC groups, also known as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, is essential to moving forward in addressing issues related to environmental injustice and health disparities among vulnerable groups. This study examines the question of whether Black populations in Georgia at the county level are more likely to experience disproportionality higher levels of air pollution and COVID-19 infection rates beginning with the conduction of literature review that identifies current knowledge and research gaps related to COVID-19, air quality and environmental justice. A spatial analysis of the relationship between PM2.5 air pollution, COVID-19 cases and deaths, race demographics, as well as socioeconomic factors in Georgia counties reveals any disparities related to health and air among Black populations.