From Pollution To Renewal

Author : Daphney Christina Bonner
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (14 download)

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Download or read book From Pollution to Renewal written by Daphney Christina Bonner and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: According to the World Health Organization (2021), ambient air pollution accounts for an estimated 4.2 million deaths globally, largely due to upper respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Studies analyzing the impact of traffic related particulate matter (PM) on public health have highlighted the social disparities that are embedded within this issue. A large body of research has demonstrated that many racially and economically segregated communities are plagued by high concentrations of air pollution, such as industrial toxics (Ard 2016) and particulate matter (PM) from vehicle emissions (Thompson 2019). Increased concentrations of PM2.5 leave these communities more susceptible to respiratory and cardiovascular disparities (Allen et al. 2009; Dominici et al. 2006; Ostro et al. 2001). The consequences of this environmental inequality have been tied to racially based laws, regulations, and policies. Archer (2020) contends that our racially and economically segregated cities are the result of several factors, including the implementation of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956. Several studies have identified this policy as a large-scale policy of displacement, demolition, and economic disenfranchisement (Archer 2020; DiMento and Ellis 2012). Though this policy has been identified as a contributor to segregation and White flight, little research has been done to link how the implementation of this policy may have contributed to the health and environmental disparities related to increased exposure to traffic-related particulate matter. To address these gaps in knowledge, I use spatial analysis to examine how demographics vary around the US highway network, a national level, to determine if minority populations are more concentrated near major interstates. Furthermore, I conduct a case study near Route 34 in New Haven, Connecticut, spatially analyzing demography and traffic-related air pollutant trends to further examine the relationship between demographics and environmental impacts of highway proximity. Findings from this study support trends arguing that minority communities are more likely to reside near a major U.S. highway and that historical federal transportation policy has heavily influenced community demography and subsequent segregation in U.S. cities. Additionally, maps displaying traffic-related air pollutant levels all display higher concentrations of these pollutants in census tracts in close spatial proximity to various highways, supporting previous research. Results from this study can aid public health officials in identifying and targeting intervention for vulnerable communities most impacted by the ill effects of historic, racialized public policy. Broadly, the results from this study provide further evidence supporting the argument that the implementation of federal highways were physically, racially, and environmentally detrimental to urban cities, and impacted African American communities most.