Lauren M. Zajac, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 109 Observatory St., 1506 SPH I, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2026, (302) 270-6349, lzajac@umich.edu

Arab Americans are not considered a minority group by the federal government; therefore, the Michigan Department of Transportation will not consider environmental equity issues for Arab Americans in the Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed Detroit Intermodal Freight Terminal (DIFT). The DIFT is an 840-acre, 24-hour regional freight terminal that would consolidate the trucking activities in southeast Michigan and increase local truck traffic from 2,000 to 16,000 trucks per day. The proposed terminal will be placed near a predominantly Arab American community already bearing a disproportionate burden of pollution. In cooperation with the Arab American Center for Community and Economic Social Services (ACCESS), our project includes an environmental health impact analysis of Dearborn, a localized socio-economic analysis, participation in media strategies to disseminate public opposition of the terminal, and an analysis of environmental justice policy. We are utilizing face to face interviews, journal articles, and pre-existing health survey data from ACCESS and the University of Michigan to determine potential health and social consequences of the DIFT. We will consolidate federal and state pollution emission databases into a comprehensive Cumulative Pollution Indices database. The end result will be a comprehensive book addressing the environmental health, justice, and social ramifications of Arab Americans not having federal minority status for environmental justice issues. The overall goal of the project is to use both quantitative and qualitative data in order to provide a framework for environmental justice disputes.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the “Environmental justice in Dearborn, MI” session, the participant will

• Learn the federal definition of an Environmental Justice case;
• Learn how to create a “cumulative pollution indices” database;
• Recognize the connection between anecdotal health observations to current, cumulative environmental pollution;
• Apply models for environmental justice assessment analysis to other disproportionately burdened communities of color

Awards: Student Achievement Award - Recipient

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.