Title

Who Bears The Burdens Of Environmental-Pollution - Race, Ethnicity, And Environmental Equity In Florida

Authors

Authors

P. H. Pollock

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Soc. Sci. Q.

Keywords

RACISM; Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary

Abstract

Objective. Economic growth, environmental concern, and NIMBY opposition form a well-known dynamic that may have a less familiar consequence: pollution-intensive activities may end up in areas populated by social groups lacking the economic and political resources to resist. The purpose of this research is to investigate the empirical bases of environmental equity-the extent to which the physical and economic burdens of pollution are evenly distributed across society. Methods. This research matches information on the geographic locations of industrial toxic releases with corresponding 1990 Census data on the demographic profiles of surrounding Florida communities. The analysis then assesses the relative importance of racial/ethnic, economic, and occupational characteristics in accounting for proximity to potentially hazardous releases. Results. Racial and ethnic subpopulations are found to reside closer to potential toxic sources-a pattern most clearly seen for African American households. The race-pollution relationship weakens but persists after background factors are controlled. Conclusions. Although occupational and housing patterns account for much of the variation in proximity to pollution, there is persistent inequity in potential exposure across racial groups.

Journal Title

Social Science Quarterly

Volume

76

Issue/Number

2

Publication Date

1-1-1995

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

294

Last Page

310

WOS Identifier

WOS:A1995RD92200006

ISSN

0038-4941

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