THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, ApRil 3, 2026 Page 3 Study: Air Pollution Linked to Poor Health Outcomes in Everett, Malden, East Boston Areas By Neil Zolot “E verett, Malden, Charlestown and East Boston are each burdened by poor health outcomes linked to air pollution compared to other communities in the region,” a February Air Quality in the Lower Mystic study cosponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and the Cities of Everett, Malden and Boston reads. “This burden disproportionately impacts at-risk and minoritized populations. Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in these communities, following cancer, and asthma rates are higher in Everett and Chelsea, meaning a higher percentage of adults have asthma than up to 90% of communities statewide.” The three-year study, led by researchers from Tufts University, monitored air pollution produced by combustion from gas powered vehicles and planes, industry and wildfires, taking rush hours and weather and wind patterns into account over the course of the study. “Stationary sources, such as manufacturing facilities and power plants, can contribute to local emissions, while regional factors like wildfi re smoke can degrade air quality from afar,” the study reads. “Despite the disproportionate exposure, online term data has not been collected systematically and made publicly available in the communities. Additionally, little is known about resident knowledge or what perceptions are of air pollution in diff erent areas of their city. A community survey was developed to better understand community members’ perceptions of air quality.” There were also listening sessions with residents, followed by an hour-long webinar reporting results on Saturday, March 21. MyRWA Outreach and Media Manager Isaiah Johnson called the webinar “an opportunity to share information with the communities.” MyRWA Executive Director Patrick Herron hopes the webinar, which will be available to watch on the MyRWA website, will be “a useful tool to memorialize the project.” The fi ndings are called the CLEANAIR Project Report, an imperfect acronym for its name, “Community-led Improvement of Air Quality in the Lower Mystic: Study Report.” Logan Airport, major highways and the New England Produce Center in Everett and Chelsea were pinpointed as major sources of Transportation Related Air Pollution (TRAP), which Tufts Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor John Durant described as “ultra-fi ne particles that can get deep into your lungs.” Sources can be obvious things like engine emissions from cars and planes and fi re smoke, but also non-tailpipe emissions from car brakes and tires that disinSTUDY | SEE PAGE 8 PLEASANT ST. TAX 175 Pleasant Street, Malden Specializing in Personal Income Tax Preparation Starting at $90. Call: (781) 324-6195 SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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