Exposure to air pollution and access to antioxidants: Mapping structural factors in the oxidative stress process in the case of Detroit, Michigan

A growing literature suggests that oxidative stress may be one plausible pathway linking air pollution with chronic health outcomes, including respiratory and cardiovascular disease. When present in sufficient quantities, antioxidants in the lungs and blood plasma capture reactive oxygen to counteract imbalances and detoxify excess oxygen species. In the context of this oxidative stress process, we suspect some populations may be doubly disadvantaged by poor air quality and limited access to foods rich in antioxidants. The purpose of this investigation is to identify spatial patterns in the case of Detroit, Michigan using geographic information systems. We integrate data from the Michigan Department of Agriculture to characterize antioxidant-rich food access with data from the Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Release Inventory and the Michigan Department of Transportation to represent industrial and transportation sources of air pollution, respectively. Descriptive statistics and resultant maps show, for instance, that for the neighborhoods within 200 meters of the 53 Toxic Release Inventory sites in Detroit, 14 are within walking distance (e.g., .5 miles) of a grocery store likely to sell a selection of antioxidant-rich foods. In conjunction with empirical research that systematically examines associations between air quality, antioxidant availability, and health outcomes, mapping can be a powerful communication tool for community planning and policy. We will discuss the use of mapping as a tool for community outreach and engagement around issues of air quality and antioxidant dietary intakes, by community and academic partners involved in University of Michigan's Environmental Health Science Community Outreach and Education Core.