Topic: Environmental Justice and Public Health Impact Statements: Expanding the Environmental Impact Statement
Description of paper:
Report on findings from the Public Health Association of New York City (PHANYC) on their assessment of the Inadequacie of the Environmental Impact Statement and the need to develop legislation and/or guidelines for Public Health Impact Statements (PHIS).
Name of Author:
Frank Goldsmith, DrPH, Co-Chair Policy Committee of PHANYC Bruce Mesh, Policy Committee of PHANYC
Abstract text:
This paper will report on the work of PHANYC to examine existing environmental laws and regulation (US and NYS) with regard to their adequacy to safeguard and protect the workplace environment and the health of surrounding communities. The paper will present preliminary conclusions and recommendation as to the need for the establishment of a Public Health Impact Statement (PHIS) as an addition to existing Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) requirements either within the current EIS or a separate regulation.
Evidence suggests that EIS regulations, as presently implemented, have not been as effective as they could or should have been nor do they appear to sufficiently embrace public health considerations or the impact a project might have on an employee's or the public's long term health. Review of chronic and long term environmentally induced morbidity or mental health and emotional stress related disorders brought on by prolonged exposure to controllable environmental factors appears to be overlooked or under evaluated.
Analysis of one working class and minority Brooklyn community, Red Hook, will be examined.
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Learning Objectives: To better understand the value of Environmental Impact Statements and the need for a Public Health Impact Statement to better protect people and communities
Keywords: Environmental Justice, Public Health Legislation
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.