Big Industry's Pollution: Toxic Legacy In Neighborhoods

Big industries such as energy, agriculture, construction, and transportation are among the world's most polluting sectors, contributing significantly to air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste generation. These industries emit toxic chemicals, particulate matter, and hazardous air pollutants that not only contaminate the environment but also have detrimental effects on the health and well-being of nearby residents. Low-income communities and people of color often bear the brunt of this pollution, as they are more likely to live in proximity to refineries, chemical plants, and other polluting businesses. This phenomenon, termed environmental racism, has been documented in various parts of the United States, where communities of color are disproportionately exposed to contaminants and face higher health risks. While regulatory agencies like the EPA play a crucial role in monitoring and enforcing pollution control, their effectiveness is sometimes hindered by limited resources and discretionary powers.

Industrial pollutants are found inside homes

While outdoor air pollution is a well-known issue, the air we breathe indoors can also be polluted. This is particularly pertinent given that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that Americans spend 90% of their time indoors. Indoor air pollution can be generated through occupants' activities, such as cooking, smoking, using electronic machines, and consumer products, or even through emissions from building materials.

Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems. These sources can be anything from building materials and household cleaners to biological pollutants such as dust mites and pet dander. One of the most well-known indoor air pollutants is radon, a colorless and odorless gas that occurs naturally from the decay of radioactive elements in soils. It can enter homes through cracks or gaps and is estimated to cause around 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the US.

Additionally, smoke from cigarettes, cookstoves, and wildfires contains toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and lead, which can affect indoor air quality. Cooking and cigarette smoking are the largest sources of indoor particulate matter, while cleaning activities often contribute less. Smoking, in particular, is a major source of fine particulate matter, with higher concentrations found during winter.

Indoor air pollution has significant health impacts, especially on vulnerable populations. Studies have shown that exposure to indoor air pollution during pregnancy is linked to impaired lung function in infants, increasing the risk of pneumonia in the first year of life. Additionally, indoor pollution can exacerbate asthma symptoms, with inner-city children with asthma being particularly at risk.

The burden of indoor air pollution is not evenly distributed, with poorer people and certain racial and ethnic groups facing higher exposure and greater health risks. For example, in Richmond, California, African Americans are at a significantly higher risk of heart disease and strokes and are more likely to be hospitalized for asthma due to their proximity to industrial sites and exposure to a greater array of contaminants. This phenomenon, termed "environmental racism," has been documented in several other locations across the United States.

Low-income residents are more exposed to pollution

Despite the United States being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, it ranks 16th out of 180 countries in terms of air quality. Pollution levels in many areas in the US are higher than the recommended levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency. These levels are based on what is considered safe for human health.

Low-income residents seeking affordable homes often end up living near polluting industries, truck routes, rail lines, and other air pollution hotspots. They may save money on shelter, but researchers say they pay the price in health. For example, in Richmond, California, African Americans are at a significantly higher risk of dying from heart disease and strokes and are more likely to be hospitalized for asthma than other county residents. Health experts say their environment is likely playing a major role.

Decades of toxic emissions from industries, as well as lung-penetrating diesel particles from truck routes and rail lines, may be taking a toll on residents' health. A 2007 environmental justice report by the United Church of Christ found that about 56% of the nine million Americans who live in neighborhoods within three kilometers of large commercial hazardous waste facilities are people of color. This pattern, which has been referred to as environmental racism, has been documented in several places across the country, including North Carolina, Louisiana, Chicago, Tennessee, and Houston.

Several studies have found that low-income communities and racial and ethnic minorities in the US are exposed to higher levels of dangerous fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) than other groups. A study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that certain groups, including Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, Latinos, and low-income populations, are exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 than other groups. The study linked 17 years of demographic data with data on fine particulate pollution from across the US and found stark disparities in air pollution exposure among racial/ethnic and income groups. Another study found that as the Black population in a particular area increased, so did the PM2.5 concentration, with a similar trend observed for Hispanic and Latino populations. In contrast, the PM2.5 concentration decreased as the density of the white population increased.

Contributing factors to the disproportionate exposure to air pollution among low-income communities include a lack of emissions regulations and enforcement, the placement of pollution sources near low-income neighborhoods, and the excessive political power of large emitters. NGOs and community organizations are working to address these disparities by empowering citizens to act on local environmental issues through lobbying, education, and community outreach.

People of colour are disproportionately affected by pollution

In Richmond, California, for example, African Americans are exposed to a greater array of contaminants at higher concentrations. They are at a significantly higher risk of dying from heart disease and strokes and are more likely to be hospitalised for asthma compared to other county residents. Similarly, in North Carolina's Warren County, Louisiana's "Cancer Alley", Chicago's South Side, and other places across the country, people of colour are subjected to living near hazardous waste facilities.

Studies have consistently found that African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and other people of colour experience greater health risks from air pollution. For instance, a study of New Jersey residents revealed that communities with larger African American populations, lower home values, and lower median incomes faced a higher risk of premature death from long-term exposure to particle pollution. Additionally, African Americans are 75% more likely than White people to live in "fence-line" communities, which are areas directly affected by noise, odour, traffic, or emissions from commercial facilities.

The reasons for these disparities are rooted in systemic racism and historical discrimination. Housing policies and market dynamics have pushed people of colour and pollution together, resulting in racial-ethnic exposure disparities. Furthermore, low-income residents seeking affordable homes often end up living closer to polluting industries, refineries, and truck routes, exposing them to toxic emissions that take a toll on their health.

Addressing these injustices requires effective regulations and policy interventions. Researchers and activists are working to amplify the voices of those significantly impacted by pollution and environmental injustice, advocating for emissions reductions and equitable access to a clean environment for all.

Poor air quality and worsened asthma go hand-in-hand

Poor air quality and worsened asthma are closely linked, with air pollution being a significant contributor to the onset and exacerbation of asthma symptoms. This is particularly true for individuals living in close proximity to industrial zones or heavily polluted areas.

Major industrial sources of air pollution include power plants, oil refineries, chemical factories, and other facilities that emit harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. These pollutants can include particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). When released into the air, these pollutants can spread over vast distances, affecting the health of people living in nearby neighborhoods.

Particulate matter, a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets, is of particular concern. These tiny particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and damage to the respiratory system. Nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide can irritate the airways, exacerbating asthma symptoms and making it more difficult for people with asthma to breathe. VOCs, including benzene and formaldehyde

Inadequately regulated emissions affect low-income neighbourhoods

Inadequately regulated emissions disproportionately affect low-income neighbourhoods. This is due to a combination of factors, including a lack of emissions regulations and enforcement, the placement of polluting facilities, and the political power of large emitters.

Low-income residents seeking affordable homes often end up living in areas with high levels of pollution. These areas are targeted for polluting facilities due to their vulnerability, with fewer resources and less political power to oppose the siting of these facilities. A California study found that over a 30-year period, 245 toxic polluting facilities were deliberately placed in poor communities. These communities are also more likely to be located near industrial sites, truck routes, ports, and other air pollution hotspots due to high housing costs and historical discrimination.

The result is that low-income individuals and families are exposed to a higher level of hazardous particles and industrial pollutants, leading to negative health outcomes. Studies have found higher risks of premature death, heart disease, strokes, and asthma attacks in these communities. The stress of living in these environments can also impact mental health and cognitive function.

While regulations like the Clean Air Act exist to limit air pollutants, they are often not well enforced or adequate in their requirements. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has limited resources and relies on self-reported estimates from facilities, which can be outdated or inaccurate. Additionally, there is no federal requirement for the EPA to install air monitors in communities to gauge toxic pollution levels.

The disproportionate impact of inadequately regulated emissions on low-income neighbourhoods highlights the need for better enforcement of existing regulations and the development of more stringent policies to protect vulnerable communities from the harmful effects of pollution.

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