environmental justice and environmental health – northern manhattan & beyond grassroots...
TRANSCRIPT
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Environmental Justice and
Environmental Health – Northern Manhattan &
BeyondGrassroots Academy
April 26, 2007
Anhthu Hoang, General CounselWest Harlem Environmental
Action (WE ACT for Environmental
Justice)
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WHAT IS AIR POLLUTION
DefinitionChemical, physical or biological agents that alter the natural characteristics of the Earth’s atmosphere
ExamplesChemical: Polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Physical: Particulate matter (PM), nuclear radiation
Biological: Pollen, mold, germ warfare
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Human activitiesManufacturing, trade & warfare
Fuel & power production
Agricultural production & burning
Transportation
Household activities & waste disposal
Construction
Natural?
Volcanic eruptions, wildlife emissions, dust, wildfires, radiation
SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION
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Human Disease
CancerCardiovascular diseaseRespiratory diseaseNeurological & developmental
Biological Environmental Impacts
Plant & wildlife diseaseGenetic loss & species extinction
Physical Environmental Impacts
Global Warming & Climate changeAcid rain & urban heat island
ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION
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NORTHERN MANHATTAN
Demographics
• 4 communities: East, Central, & West Harlem + Washington Hts
• Over 600,000 people in 7.4 mi2
• 44% African-American; 44% Latino
• Median household income: $14,896 (Central Harlem) $29,479 (Morningside Hts)
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United Church of Christ “Toxic Waste & Race” (1987)
• 3 of 5 black and Hispanic Americans live in communities with 1 unregulated waste site(s)
• Race = single most important variable explaining proximity to toxic waste site
• Percentage of local population composed of people of color directly correlated with number of commercial waste sites
1994 Update
• 1980-1993 percent people of color in all zip codes w/ toxic waste facilities increased from 25% to 31%
Evidence of Disproportionate Exposures in the United States
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Northern Manhattan Sources of Pollution
•Six of seven Manhattan bus depots
•Municipal diesel garbage truck depots
•North River Sewage Treatment Plant
•Poor housing (roughly 70% housing units built before 1930)
•N. Manhattan hosts major inter- city truck routes
* Except E. Harlem with 28.3%
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Lack of Positive Environmental Factors
• Lowest per capita and per acre ratio of parks, open space, & grocery stores
• Poor pedestrian safety discourages physical activity, resulting in dangerous sedentary lifestyles
• Co-location of industrial land uses with housing creates incentive to stay indoors
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Health Disparities
– Black children asthma 237% the rate of white children (2001)
– People of color mortality rate 250% whites (2000)
– East Harlem’s childhood morbidity rate is 300% citywide average and 600% national average
Environmental links
– Diesel, PM, ozone & other asthma triggers– Housing disrepair lead to pests & allergens
Impact on Environmental Health:
Asthma
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Impact on Environmental Health: Childhood Lead Poisoning
National Childhood Lead Poisoning Rates
–64% children of color–12% white–36% unknown race
(Centers for Disease Control, 2000)
In NYC, 90% of new cases involve children of color
(NYC DOHMH, 2001)
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Impact on Overall Environmental Health
• Poor Birth Outcomes
– Low Birthweight – High Infant Mortality almost 2x city average
• Poor Adult Health
– % Women who are overweight > 2x state average– Diabetes almost 2x state average– Poor Cardiovascular Health– Mental health and emotional distress
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For More InformationAnhthu Hoang
WE ACT271 W. 125th St.
Suite 308New York, NY
212-961-1000, Ext. 311