AMERIKA
Environmental racism is a reality that has a significant negative health impact on our nation’s communities of color and other communities experiencing poverty and social injustices. Studies show that such communities are also overburdened by the carcinogenic PFAS chemicals, which contaminate their drinking water sources to a greater extent compared to other segments of the population. Policymaking has not paid enough attention to this environmental injustice. It is time to address the issue more systematically.
December 17, 2024
Source: Originally published by Z. Feel free to share widely.
Image by Marc St. Gil
Communities of color and minoritized populations are disproportionately burdened with environmental hazards nationwide. Discriminatory policy practices often overlook the overall well-being and interest of certain groups based on race, color, nationality, social status, or income, indirectly forcing them to live near waste facilities, garbage dumps, airports, military bases, truck routes, and other toxic exposure sources that lower the quality of life. The phenomenon, when certain groups are unfairly treated concerning the implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and are disproportionately exposed to pollutants, is known as environmental (in)justice and is ever present in our country.
Environmental injustice or racism is often linked to the historical practice of redlining, where Black families did not receive loans to live in communities with higher values or with exclusionary zoning laws that pushed racial and ethnic minorities into areas of environmental degradation. Such oppressive policies and practices produced racially segregated communities nationwide and resulted in unreasonable toxic exposure of many Black and Hispanic communities across the US.
Numerous scientific studies have linked exposure to environmental hazards with racial and ethnic groups, especially those with lower socioeconomic power. A large-scale public health study shows that Black people are 75% more likely than the average American to live near pollution hotspots, being constantly exposed to fumes, toxic dust, ash, and soot. Another study points to the fact that Black and Hispanic communities have twice as many oil and gas wells in their neighborhoods than white communities. Environmental health studies bring evidence of how communities of color are often disproportionately affected by flood risks, air pollution, and toxic waste disposal and the adverse health outcomes caused by these hazards.
Environmental (in)justice and the “forever chemicals”
A study conducted in 2023 by the Harvard School of Public Health reveals that communities of color are more likely to consume water contaminated by the toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) than other groups. Using mapping techniques and drinking water monitoring, Harvard researchers have shown that Black and Hispanic people, whose immune systems are often already overburdened by other environmental hazards, are more likely to live near PFAS pollution facilities. The results are staggering. They showed up to a 108 percent increase in PFOA and a 20 to 34 percent increase in PFOS in the drinking water of several Black and Hispanic communities compared to the results shown in other communities.
PFOA and PFOS are the two most widespread among the thousands of PFAS chemicals commonly known as “forever chemicals.” Manufacturers have used these substances since the 1950s, and they can be found in a wide range of water- and heat-resistant household and industrial products. Once PFAS leak into the environment, they are incredibly resistant, hardly break down, and accumulate in the bodies of people and animals. Most worryingly, PFAS are classified as carcinogens, primarily causing testicular, kidney, breast, prostate, and thyroid cancers, and other adverse health conditions such as high cholesterol, liver disease, fertility issues, and preeclampsia. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared PFAS contamination to be a national crisis and proposed that the maximum contamination level (MCL) of PFOA and PFOS in drinking water should not exceed 4 parts per trillion (ppt). 4 ppt is an extremely low limit, signaling no safe exposure level.
PFAS originating from military installations endangers communities of color
In many cases, the PFAS, which contaminates people’s ground- and drinking water sources, originates from military installations where aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is applied. AFFF is a type of firefighting foam that has large quantities of PFAS in its composition. Because AFFF is a very effective foam, it has been used against class-B flammable fuel fires since 1960 by military and civilian fire departments across the country. Due to increasingly high concerns about its adverse environmental and health effects, the Department of Defense (DOD) decided to phase AFFF out starting October 2024. While this is a positive and necessary step, the damage is already done. For decades, PFAS has polluted the drinking water sources of many marginalized communities.
In Florida’s Miami-Dade County, the communities of color who live near Homestead Air Force Base (AFB) are likely to be exposed to “forever chemicals” from drinking water. The level of PFAS in the water at the station was 12,800 ppt, which exceeds 3,200 times the safe exposure limit. Most of the population living in the area neighboring the Base are communities of color. In the city of Homestead, 89% of the population are people of color. Near the AFB in Leisure City, the percentage of Hispanic residents alone is 82,4%.
In California, disadvantaged communities are more likely to live around areas with higher levels of PFAS pollution in community drinking water systems, according to an analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Merced County and the town of Atwater are illustrative examples. 63,2% of the residents of Merced County and 56,6% of Atwater are Hispanic. North of the city of Atwater is located a former military site, now a public airport, Castle Air Force Base, enlisted by Californian authorities as a facility that releases PFAS. The AFB had 2,640 ppt PFOS and PFOA detected in its groundwater. A sampling done by the DOD revealed that PFAS is migrating from the Base and contaminating private wells and public drinking water systems. These examples show how environmental racism and PFAS contamination often go hand in hand.
Achieving environmental justice: what can be done?
The consequences can be devastating. Communities of color exposed to life-threatening PFAS are more likely to develop severe illnesses, even if PFAS pollution affects them to a similar extent as it does other groups. They often have fewer financial resources, less access to medical care or safer drinking water alternatives, and their voices are frequently neglected. On top of this, they usually live in neighborhoods characterized by the underinvestment of the infrastructure and deprived housing conditions, leading to being more prone to adverse health conditions. Black people, for example, have the highest death rate from cancer in the US.
Even though environmental injustices are addressed in relation to specific cases, the systemic issues and discrimination that allow the injustices to happen are not dealt with strategically. For the first time, only in January 2023, Federal law requested widespread tasting and monitoring for the presence of PFAS in water supplies. The data available will allow researchers, policymakers, and community advocates to see where PFAS pollution affects communities of color and other overburdened communities. This way, PFAS-induced environmental racism can be addressed in a more focused and proactive manner. Additionally, in February 2023, in the newly introduced Bipartisan Infrastructure Law framework, small and disadvantaged communities can apply for grants to improve their water infrastructure against emerging contaminants like PFAS.
It is time more than ever for grassroots community advocates, scientists, and policymakers to come together and address the problem of PFAS contamination affecting communities of color, to advocate for stricter PFAS monitoring, clean-up and regulations, better infrastructure, and to take advantage of available funding. It is also important to inform people exposed to these toxic chemicals what they can do to reduce the risks. Combating environmental racism is undoubtedly an uphill battle but change for the better is possible with joint effort. Furthermore, collaboration with law firms working with victims of toxic exposure is a viable strategy for achieving justice. Filing a lawsuit against manufacturers responsible for releasing carcinogens into the environment can help ill people obtain compensation. It also supports victims in standing up against unethical businesses.
ZNetwork is funded solely through the generosity of its readers. Donate
Jonathan Sharp is Chief Financial Officer at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. The law firm, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, assists victims of toxic exposure.
Image by Marc St. Gil
Communities of color and minoritized populations are disproportionately burdened with environmental hazards nationwide. Discriminatory policy practices often overlook the overall well-being and interest of certain groups based on race, color, nationality, social status, or income, indirectly forcing them to live near waste facilities, garbage dumps, airports, military bases, truck routes, and other toxic exposure sources that lower the quality of life. The phenomenon, when certain groups are unfairly treated concerning the implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and are disproportionately exposed to pollutants, is known as environmental (in)justice and is ever present in our country.
Environmental injustice or racism is often linked to the historical practice of redlining, where Black families did not receive loans to live in communities with higher values or with exclusionary zoning laws that pushed racial and ethnic minorities into areas of environmental degradation. Such oppressive policies and practices produced racially segregated communities nationwide and resulted in unreasonable toxic exposure of many Black and Hispanic communities across the US.
Numerous scientific studies have linked exposure to environmental hazards with racial and ethnic groups, especially those with lower socioeconomic power. A large-scale public health study shows that Black people are 75% more likely than the average American to live near pollution hotspots, being constantly exposed to fumes, toxic dust, ash, and soot. Another study points to the fact that Black and Hispanic communities have twice as many oil and gas wells in their neighborhoods than white communities. Environmental health studies bring evidence of how communities of color are often disproportionately affected by flood risks, air pollution, and toxic waste disposal and the adverse health outcomes caused by these hazards.
Environmental (in)justice and the “forever chemicals”
A study conducted in 2023 by the Harvard School of Public Health reveals that communities of color are more likely to consume water contaminated by the toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) than other groups. Using mapping techniques and drinking water monitoring, Harvard researchers have shown that Black and Hispanic people, whose immune systems are often already overburdened by other environmental hazards, are more likely to live near PFAS pollution facilities. The results are staggering. They showed up to a 108 percent increase in PFOA and a 20 to 34 percent increase in PFOS in the drinking water of several Black and Hispanic communities compared to the results shown in other communities.
PFOA and PFOS are the two most widespread among the thousands of PFAS chemicals commonly known as “forever chemicals.” Manufacturers have used these substances since the 1950s, and they can be found in a wide range of water- and heat-resistant household and industrial products. Once PFAS leak into the environment, they are incredibly resistant, hardly break down, and accumulate in the bodies of people and animals. Most worryingly, PFAS are classified as carcinogens, primarily causing testicular, kidney, breast, prostate, and thyroid cancers, and other adverse health conditions such as high cholesterol, liver disease, fertility issues, and preeclampsia. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared PFAS contamination to be a national crisis and proposed that the maximum contamination level (MCL) of PFOA and PFOS in drinking water should not exceed 4 parts per trillion (ppt). 4 ppt is an extremely low limit, signaling no safe exposure level.
PFAS originating from military installations endangers communities of color
In many cases, the PFAS, which contaminates people’s ground- and drinking water sources, originates from military installations where aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is applied. AFFF is a type of firefighting foam that has large quantities of PFAS in its composition. Because AFFF is a very effective foam, it has been used against class-B flammable fuel fires since 1960 by military and civilian fire departments across the country. Due to increasingly high concerns about its adverse environmental and health effects, the Department of Defense (DOD) decided to phase AFFF out starting October 2024. While this is a positive and necessary step, the damage is already done. For decades, PFAS has polluted the drinking water sources of many marginalized communities.
In Florida’s Miami-Dade County, the communities of color who live near Homestead Air Force Base (AFB) are likely to be exposed to “forever chemicals” from drinking water. The level of PFAS in the water at the station was 12,800 ppt, which exceeds 3,200 times the safe exposure limit. Most of the population living in the area neighboring the Base are communities of color. In the city of Homestead, 89% of the population are people of color. Near the AFB in Leisure City, the percentage of Hispanic residents alone is 82,4%.
In California, disadvantaged communities are more likely to live around areas with higher levels of PFAS pollution in community drinking water systems, according to an analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Merced County and the town of Atwater are illustrative examples. 63,2% of the residents of Merced County and 56,6% of Atwater are Hispanic. North of the city of Atwater is located a former military site, now a public airport, Castle Air Force Base, enlisted by Californian authorities as a facility that releases PFAS. The AFB had 2,640 ppt PFOS and PFOA detected in its groundwater. A sampling done by the DOD revealed that PFAS is migrating from the Base and contaminating private wells and public drinking water systems. These examples show how environmental racism and PFAS contamination often go hand in hand.
Achieving environmental justice: what can be done?
The consequences can be devastating. Communities of color exposed to life-threatening PFAS are more likely to develop severe illnesses, even if PFAS pollution affects them to a similar extent as it does other groups. They often have fewer financial resources, less access to medical care or safer drinking water alternatives, and their voices are frequently neglected. On top of this, they usually live in neighborhoods characterized by the underinvestment of the infrastructure and deprived housing conditions, leading to being more prone to adverse health conditions. Black people, for example, have the highest death rate from cancer in the US.
Even though environmental injustices are addressed in relation to specific cases, the systemic issues and discrimination that allow the injustices to happen are not dealt with strategically. For the first time, only in January 2023, Federal law requested widespread tasting and monitoring for the presence of PFAS in water supplies. The data available will allow researchers, policymakers, and community advocates to see where PFAS pollution affects communities of color and other overburdened communities. This way, PFAS-induced environmental racism can be addressed in a more focused and proactive manner. Additionally, in February 2023, in the newly introduced Bipartisan Infrastructure Law framework, small and disadvantaged communities can apply for grants to improve their water infrastructure against emerging contaminants like PFAS.
It is time more than ever for grassroots community advocates, scientists, and policymakers to come together and address the problem of PFAS contamination affecting communities of color, to advocate for stricter PFAS monitoring, clean-up and regulations, better infrastructure, and to take advantage of available funding. It is also important to inform people exposed to these toxic chemicals what they can do to reduce the risks. Combating environmental racism is undoubtedly an uphill battle but change for the better is possible with joint effort. Furthermore, collaboration with law firms working with victims of toxic exposure is a viable strategy for achieving justice. Filing a lawsuit against manufacturers responsible for releasing carcinogens into the environment can help ill people obtain compensation. It also supports victims in standing up against unethical businesses.
ZNetwork is funded solely through the generosity of its readers. Donate
Jonathan Sharp is Chief Financial Officer at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. The law firm, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, assists victims of toxic exposure.
No comments:
Post a Comment