Environmental Justice and

Environmental Health – Northern Manhattan &

BeyondGrassroots Academy

April 26, 2007

Anhthu Hoang, General CounselWest Harlem Environmental

Action (WE ACT for Environmental

Justice)

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

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

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

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)

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

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%

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

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

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)

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

For More InformationAnhthu Hoang

WE ACT271 W. 125th St.

Suite 308New York, NY

10027anhthu@weact.org

212-961-1000, Ext. 311