The Office of Environmental Health (OEH) has addressed environmental justice issues by providing inspections related to a number of health hazards in Boston since 1982. According to the 1990 U.S. census, only 40.6 percent of the population in Boston's 16 neighborhoods were minorities where as in the low-income neighborhoods of Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan minorities were 62%, 86%, and 95% of the population, respectively. OEH inspection records related to the various categories of environmental hazards including Asbestos Containing Material (ACM), Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), and Chemical Hazards (CHM) were entered into a database for 1253 sites for the period of 1984-1991. The data entered during 1991-1998 period addresses 2053 sites, an increase of 62%. The observed increase in the number of inspections, as indications of a heightened level of health concerns, was not homogenous over all of the categories. In comparison with the earlier time interval, ACM inspections decreased by 20% where as IAQ and CHM inspections have increased overall by an average of 65% for these neighborhoods. In addition, variations in IAQ and CHM categories were not statistically significant in either Mattapan or Roxbury, however, they were higher than other neighborhoods. The number of inspections in CHM category was significantly higher than IAQ category in Dorchester where there is a high concentration of publicly undesirable industries such as auto shops, solid waste transfer stations, and junk yards. The study also found a correlation between health inspections and prevalence of asthma and other health problems in these neighborhoods of color.
Learning Objectives: Participants will: 1. Aquire an understanding of Public Health Concerns and Population 2. Learn about Environmenatl Hazard related issues in low-income neighborhoods 3. Identify Environmental Justice Issues in Empowerment Zones
Keywords: Population, Environmental Health Hazards
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Office of Environmental Health/ Boston Public Health Commission
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.