Abstract
Objectives. To investigate potential changes in burdens from coal-fired electricity-generating units (EGU(cf)s) that emit fine particulate matter (PM(2.5), defined as matter with a nominal mean aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 2.5 µm) among racial/ethnic and economic groups after reduction of operations in 92 US EGU(cf)s.Methods. PM(2.5) burdens calculated for EGUs listed in the 2008, 2011, and 2014 National Emissions Inventory were recalculated for 2017 after omitting emissions from 92 EGU(cf)s. The combined influence of race/ethnicity and poverty on burden estimates was characterized.Results. Omission of 92 EGU(cf)s decreased PM(2.5) burdens attributable to EGUs by 8.6% for the entire population and to varying degrees for every population subgroup. Although the burden decreased across all subgroups, the decline was not equitable. After omission of the 92 EGU(cf)s, burdens were highest for the below-poverty and non-White subgroups. Proportional disparities between White and non-White subgroups increased. In our combined analysis, the burden was highest for the non-White-high-poverty subgroup.Conclusions. Our results indicate that subgroups living in poverty experience the greatest absolute burdens from EGU(cf)s. Changes as a result of EGU(cf) closures suggest a shift in burden from White to non-White subgroups. Policymakers could use burden analyses to jointly promote equity and reduce emissions.