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Environmental Racism

TODAY, MORE THAN HALF OF THE AMERICANS LIVING CLOSE TO HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITIES ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR.  WE’LL PROBE THIS ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE ON THIS ENVIRONMINUTE.

ACCORDING TO A REPORT BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE RESOURCE CENTER AT CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY, PEOPLE OF COLOR COMPRISE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION LIVING NEAR TOXIC SITES THAN TWENTY YEARS AGO. SADLY, RACIAL COMPOSITION OF A COMMUNITY IS A MORE ACCURATE PREDICTOR OF THE LOCATION OF TOXIC SITES THAN EVEN POVERTY.  ROBERT BULLARD IS THE PRINCIPAL AUTHOR OF THE STUDY.

BULLARD "IT DOES RAISE SOME CONCERN AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE CURRENT PROGRAMS ARE ACTUALLY WORKING TO ENSURE THAT NO COMMUNITIES HAVE TO BEAR A DISPROPORTIONATE BURDEN FOR THE THINGS THAT EVERYBODY PRODUCES."

BULLARD SAYS THE REPORT SHOWS BETTER CONTROL AND SITING OF TOXIC WASTE FACILITIES IS NEEDED.  

THE ENVIRONMINUTE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HEINZ FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES AND THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS.  LEARN MORE BY VISITING ENVIRONMINUTE-DOT-COM.

To access a copy of the report, please visit the Environmental Justice Resource Center at Clark Atlanta University.

To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org