Date of Award

Spring 5-7-2024

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

Environmental Studies

Advisor(s)

John Van Buren

Abstract

Every day, people are exposed to air pollution. But not all people experience the same levels of exposure. Human exposure to ambient air pollution is commonly represented by the concentration of pollutants in the air outside, but this is not accurate in revealing the complex and individual experience that is pollution exposure. This paper reevaluates how we represent exposure to ambient pollution and presents data from an ongoing study to broaden our understanding of the role of indoor air quality. Chapter one uses quantitative data to describe the relationship between humans and ambient air pollution and explain why the current measure of human exposure to these pollutants is inadequate. Chapter two introduces the history of air pollution and its health effects and how government policies throughout different time periods have impacted the way society interacts with pollution. Chapter three describes the issues of architecture and urban planning in relation to ambient pollution exposure, and the types of solutions that are being proposed in terms of infrastructure. Chapter four investigates the relationship between indoor and outdoor air quality by utilizing an ongoing study which measures indoor air quality in various classrooms at Fordham University as well as different types of housing on and near campus, and compares these indoor pollutant concentrations to the outdoor pollution and weather patterns that are collected in the same area. Finally, chapter five explains the necessary policies regarding city infrastructure and air filtration in housing and work places in order to protect people from the outcomes of weather events and pollution exposure.

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