Increased exposure to air pollution has been connected with environmentally-linked diseases (increased morbidity), decreased lifespan (increased mortality), environmental injustices (inequitable distribution of pollution based on population characteristics), reduction of quality-of-life, and increased health care costs. The main goals of this work are to analyze and quantify the potential association between chronic fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) exposure and heart failure hospitalization rates in New York City and to explore the possibility that specific populations (e.g. racial and ethnic minorities, less educated populations, lower income populations) suffer from increased chronic exposure to PM_2.5 from local stationary sources when compared to other populations in the context of environmental justice. Fine particulate matter exposure in New York City was estimated using proximity analysis, air dispersion modeling, and land use regression modeling. The characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses of each technique were compared and contrasted. A number of statistical techniques were also employed to assess and quantify these associations (odds ratios, ordinary least squares regressions, spatial autoregressive models, and geographically weighted regressions). The utility and appropriateness of each of these statistical models were examined. The results of the analyses suggested the presence of environmental injustices, although the relationships appeared complex and non-linear. The environmental health analyses found a positive association between intra-urban chronic exposure to fine particulate matter and heart failure hospitalization rates when controlling for socio-demographics in New York City.