Global analysis reveals region-specific air pollution exposure inequalities

Ensuring clean air for all is crucial for environmental justice and public health. A comprehensive understanding of global spatiotemporal patterns of air pollution inequalities is essential for addressing these disparities and improving public health. Here, we investigated 20 years of daily fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) alongside global socioeconomic, urbanization, and demographic data to assess worldwide exposure inequalities. Our analysis revealed pervasive, region-specific exposure inequalities, with suburban areas in rapidly industrializing Asian nations facing high exposure inequality for decades. While absolute PM_2.5 concentrations declined in high-income countries and regions like the USA and Europe, relative exposure inequality increased in urban and suburban areas. These findings provide a global perspective on air pollution inequalities across urban, suburban, and rural areas, along with different socioeconomic statuses over decades. They highlight the need for tailored strategies to address air pollution inequities, benefiting practitioners and policymakers in improving environmental equity and public health.