New analysis shows Chicago’s air pollution hot spots are near heavy-traffic areas

The highest rates of pollution are in Little Village, Austin, Englewood and other neighborhoods, according to data from a new sensor network.

By Stephanie Kim
A cloud of dust spreads across the Little Village neighborhood
A cloud of dust spreads across the Little Village neighborhood after the Crawford Coal Plant smoke stack was imploded, Saturday, April 11, 2020. Tyler LaRiviere / Chicago Sun-Times
A cloud of dust spreads across the Little Village neighborhood
A cloud of dust spreads across the Little Village neighborhood after the Crawford Coal Plant smoke stack was imploded, Saturday, April 11, 2020. Tyler LaRiviere / Chicago Sun-Times

New analysis shows Chicago’s air pollution hot spots are near heavy-traffic areas

The highest rates of pollution are in Little Village, Austin, Englewood and other neighborhoods, according to data from a new sensor network.

By Stephanie Kim
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Chicago’s air quality is among the worst in the country, and the issue has been tied to the city’s dozens of industrial corridors. Data from a new network of sensors confirms that link, showing Chicagoans who live near heavy-traffic areas are breathing the most polluted air.

Reset learns more about the findings from a new joint investigation by WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times and MuckRock. .

GUESTS: María Inés Zamudio, WBEZ Race, Class and Communities reporter

Brett Chase, Chicago Sun-Times environmental reporter

Dillon Bergin, investigative reporter at MuckRock