scholarly journals Racial disparities in pollution exposure and employment at US industrial facilities

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (42) ◽  
pp. 10636-10641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Ash ◽  
James K. Boyce
Keyword(s):  
Racial Disparities ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ◽  
The United States ◽  
Industrial Facilities ◽  
Employment Benefits ◽  
Pollution Risk ◽  
The Us ◽  
Pollution Exposure

Proximity to industrial facilities can have positive employment effects as well as negative pollution exposure impacts on surrounding communities. Although racial disparities in exposure to industrial air pollution in the United States are well documented, there has been little empirical investigation of whether these disparities are mirrored by employment benefits. We use facility-level data from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission EEO-1 database to assess the extent to which the racial and ethnic distribution of industrial employment corresponds to the distribution of exposure to air toxics emitted by the same facilities. The share of pollution risk accruing to minority groups generally exceeds their share of employment and exceeds their share of higher paying jobs by a wide margin. We find no evidence that facilities that create higher pollution risk for surrounding communities provide more jobs in aggregate.

scholarly journals A Geography of Risk: Structural Racism and COVID-19 Mortality in the United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren C Zalla ◽  
Chantel L Martin ◽  
Jessie K Edwards ◽  
Danielle R Gartner ◽  
Grace A Noppert
Keyword(s):  
Minority Groups ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Structural Racism ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Health Response ◽  
The Us ◽  
Racialized Minority ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Minority ◽  
Disproportionate Burden

Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is disproportionately burdening racial and ethnic minority groups in the US. Higher risks of infection and mortality among racialized minorities are a consequence of structural racism, reflected in specific policies that date back centuries and persist today. Yet, our surveillance activities do not reflect what we know about how racism structures risk. When measuring racial and ethnic disparities in deaths due to COVID-19, the CDC statistically accounts for the geographic distribution of deaths throughout the US to reflect the fact that deaths are concentrated in areas with different racial and ethnic distributions than that of the larger US. In this commentary, we argue that such an approach misses an important driver of disparities in COVID-19 mortality, namely the historical forces that determine where individuals live, work, and play, and consequently determine their risk of dying from COVID-19. We explain why controlling for geography downplays the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 on racialized minority groups in the US. Finally, we offer recommendations for the analysis of surveillance data to estimate racial disparities, including shifting from distribution-based to risk-based measures, to help inform a more effective and equitable public health response to the pandemic.

scholarly journals Factors Underlying Racial Disparities in Sepsis Management

Healthcare ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
Matthew DiMeglio ◽  
John Dubensky ◽  
Samuel Schadt ◽  
Rashmika Potdar ◽  
Krzysztof Laudanski
Keyword(s):  
Racial Disparities ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Sepsis Management ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
Standardized Treatment ◽  
Wide Variability

Sepsis, a syndrome characterized by systemic inflammation during infection, continues to be one of the most common causes of patient mortality in hospitals across the United States. While standardized treatment protocols have been implemented, a wide variability in clinical outcomes persists across racial groups. Specifically, black and Hispanic populations are frequently associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality in sepsis compared to the white population. While this is often attributed to systemic bias against minority groups, a growing body of literature has found patient, community, and hospital-based factors to be driving racial differences. In this article, we provide a focused review on some of the factors driving racial disparities in sepsis. We also suggest potential interventions aimed at reducing health disparities in the prevention, early identification, and clinical management of sepsis.

Brownfields

Geography ◽  
2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher De Sousa ◽  
Thierry Spiess
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Government ◽  
Land Resource ◽  
Hazardous Substance ◽  
Industrial Chemicals ◽  
Real Property ◽  
Site Assessment ◽  
Industrial Facilities

Brownfields are defined by the United States government as “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant” (Environmental Protection Agency website). While they are most often associated with derelict industrial facilities, brownfields can include an array of other properties with a likelihood of contamination, such as landfills, vehicle repair shops, gas stations, and dry cleaners. Prior to the focus on brownfield redevelopment, the original emphasis was on the remediation of land contaminated by pollution disasters and industrial chemicals. While this perspective forced governments to better understand the risks posed by contaminants and develop procedures for effective cleanup, it discouraged private investment by developers and financiers because of the potential risks and costs associated with redevelopment. Industrialized cities were, therefore, left with extensive tracts of idle and stigmatized property, while developers chose to build and residents chose to live in suburban greenfields. The brownfield literature expanded rapidly in the early 1990s as researchers sought to better understand the issue, its scale, and the key barriers to redevelopment (e.g., site assessment and cleanup, legal liability, funding). As the ability to manage risks and costs improved, researchers started to focus on other potential end uses for these properties and shift the perception of these sites from hazardous liabilities to land resource opportunities. Brownfields research continues to expand internationally and focuses more on strategic ways to manage sites in a smart and sustainable manner.

scholarly journals The contribution of marine organics to the air quality of the western United States

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 7415-7423 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Gantt ◽  
N. Meskhidze ◽  
A. G. Carlton
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Western United States ◽  
The Us

Abstract. The contribution of marine organic emissions to the air quality in coastal areas of the western United States is studied using the latest version of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional-scale Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQv4.7) modeling system. Emissions of marine isoprene, monoterpenes, and primary organic matter (POM) from the ocean are implemented into the model to provide a comprehensive view of the connection between ocean biology and atmospheric chemistry and air pollution. Model simulations show that marine organics can increase the concentration of PM2.5 by 0.1–0.3 μg m−3 (up to 5%) in some coastal cities such as San Francisco, CA. This increase in the PM2.5 concentration is primarily attributed to the POM emissions, with small contributions from the marine isoprene and monoterpenes. When marine organic emissions are included, organic carbon (OC) concentrations over the remote ocean are increased by up to 50% (25% in coastal areas), values consistent with recent observational findings. This study is the first to quantify the air quality impacts from marine POM and monoterpenes for the United States, and it highlights the need for inclusion of marine organic emissions in air quality models.

scholarly journals Yellow in Black and White: Representasi Identitas Asia oleh Rich Brian dalam Musik Hip-Hop di Amerika Serikat

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Nokia Putri Andika Lainsyamputty
Keyword(s):  
Hip Hop ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Asian Race ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Analysis Process ◽  
The Us ◽  
Stuart Hall ◽  
Chinese Descent

AbstractThe representation of the Asian race in the US music industry is still relatively small. However, Rich Brian, a person of Chinese descent with Indonesian nationality, succeeded in his career by carrying out the hip-hop genre that was firmly rooted in African-American (black) racial groups in the United States, a country which was dominated by Caucasian (white) races. This study aims to uncover how Brian represented his identity in the US hip-hop music scene using Stuart Hall's circuit of culture theory. The object of this research is the lyrics of several songs in Rich Brian's album. Through the analysis process, it was found that Brian did not cover the nationality and race identity he had. He precisely positioned himself on the spectrum of social identity. This then affects the representation of identity that he does in his songs, including revolving around the theme of the meaning of identity and stereotypes of the Asian race, as well as the struggles experienced by Asians who are part of minority groups in the United States.AbstrakRepresentasi ras Asia dalam industri musik Amerika Serikat masih tergolong sedikit. Namun Rich Brian, seseorang keturunan Tionghoa dan berkewarganegaraan Indonesia, berhasil berkarir dengan mengusung genre hip-hop yang berakar kuat pada kelompok ras Afrika-Amerika (black), di negara Amerika Serikat yang didominasi oleh ras kaukasian (white). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengungkap bagaimana Brian merepresentasikan identitasnya dalam skena musik hip-hop Amerika Serikat menggunakan teori sirkuit budaya oleh Stuart Hall. Objek dalam penelitian ini berupa lirik dari beberapa lagu dalam album milik Rich Brian. Melalui proses analisis, didapati bahwa Brian tidak menutupi identitas kewarganegaraan dan ras yang ia miliki. Ia justru memosisikan dirinya pada spektrum identitas sosial. Hal ini kemudian memengaruhi representasi identitas yang ia lakukan dalam lagu-lagunya, diantaranya berkisar pada tema pemaknaan identitas dan stereotip dari ras Asia, serta perjuangan yang dialami oleh orang Asia yang merupakan bagian dari kelompok minoritas di Amerika Serikat.

scholarly journals Role of Disease-Specific Incidence and Survival in Disparities in Life Expectancy in the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 149-149
Author(s):  
Julia Kravchenko ◽  
Bin Yu ◽  
Igor Akushevich
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Racial Disparities ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
The United States ◽  
The State ◽  
The Us ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Disease Specific

Abstract There are persisting geographic and racial disparities in life expectancy (LE) across the United States (US). We used 5% Medicare Claims data (2000-2017) to investigate how disease incidence and survival contribute to such disparities. Disease-specific hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for Medicare beneficiaries living in the US states with the lowest LE (the states with the highest LE were used as a reference group), in gender- and race-/ethnicity-specific populations. Analysis of incidence showed that the greatest contribution to between-the-state disparities in LE was due to higher incidence (HRs≥1.30) of atherosclerosis, heart failure, influenza/pneumonia, Alzheimer’s disease, and lung cancer among older adults living in the states with the lowest LE. The list of diseases that contributed most to LE through the differences in their survival substantially differed from the above listed diseases: namely, diabetes, chronic ischemic heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease had HRs≥1.28 for their respective survival rates, with the highest HRs for lung cancer (HR=1.37, in females) and prostate cancer (HR=1.30). Respective race-/ethnicity-specific patterns of incidence and survival HRs were investigated and diseases contributed most to racial disparities in LE were identified. Study showed that when planning the strategies targeting between-the-state differences in LE in the US, it is important to address both 1) primary and secondary prevention for diseases demonstrating substantial differences in contributions of incidence, and 2) treatment choice, adherence to treatment, and comorbidities for diseases contributing to LE disparities predominantly through the differences in survival. Such strategies can be disease-, race-/ethnicity-, and geographic area-specific.

scholarly journals Public perceptions of federal science advisory boards depend on their composition

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (37) ◽  
pp. 22668-22670
Author(s):  
Caitlin Drummond ◽  
Sara Goto Gray ◽  
Kaitlin T. Raimi ◽  
Robyn Wilson ◽  
Joseph Árvai
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
The United States ◽  
Expert Advice ◽  
Academic Scientists ◽  
Business Interests ◽  
Advisory Boards ◽  
Science Advisory ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Government ◽  
Public Views

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB) provides expert advice to inform agency decision-making. Recent regulations have decreased the representation of academic scientists on the EPA SAB and increased the representation of industry scientists. In an experiment, we asked how the US public views the goals and legitimacy of the board as a function of its composition. Respondents perceived SABs with a majority of industry scientists to be more likely to promote business interests than SABs with a majority of academic scientists. Liberals were less likely than conservatives to perceive industry-majority SABs as promoting human health and the environment, and making unbiased and evidence-based decisions. Our findings underscore the potential for politicization of scientific advice to the government.

Racial disparities in the outcomes of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: A population-based analysis.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 577-577
Author(s):  
Firas Baidoun ◽  
Inas A. Ruhban ◽  
Anas M. Saad ◽  
Mohamed M. Gad ◽  
Khalid Jazieh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
Transitional Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Racial Disparities ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Transitional Cell ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pacific Islanders ◽  
The Us

577 Background: Bladder cancer is the most common type of genitourinary malignancy and is the fourth most common cancer in men in the US. Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder accounts for most bladder cancer cases. Previous studies have observed racial disparities in the prognosis between white and black populations with very little mentioned about other ethnicities and race groups that are part of the United States population. We hereby, present a detailed and comprehensive analysis of racial disparities in TCC survival in the US. Methods: Using the data from surveillance Epidemiology and End results (SEER) database, we identified patients with TCC between 1992 and 2015. We used multivariable covariate-adjusted Cox models to analyze the overall and TCC-specific survival of patients according to their race. Results: We evaluated 176,388 patients with TCC and after we adjusted for age, sex, race, stage, grade, and undergoing cancer-targeted surgery, we found that Asians/Pacific Islanders and Hispanics had a better overall survival when compared to whites (HR= 0.792, 95% CI [0.761-0.824], P<.001 and HR = 0.941, 95% CI [0.909-0.974], P = .001, respectively). Asians/Pacific Islanders also showed better TCC specific survival (HR = 0.843, 95% CI [0.759-0.894], P<.001). Blacks had worse overall survival and TCC-specific survival (HR =1.221, 95% CI [1.181-1.262], P <.001 and HR =1.325, 95% CI [1.268- 1.384], P <.001, respectively). When stage IV TCC was analyzed separately, only Hispanics showed better overall and TCC specific survival when compared to whites (HR = 0.896, 95% CI [0.806-0.997], P = 0.044 and HR = 0.891, 95% CI [0.797-0.996], P = 0.42). Conclusions: Asians/Pacific Islanders have better overall and TCC-specific outcome while blacks have the worst outcome compared to whites. Hispanics have better overall and cancer specific survival in stage IV TCC. These disparities likely related to different and complex factors from lifestyle and chemical exposure to genetic factors. Further studies can help us more in understanding and approaching this malignancy in different race groups.

The Big Trade

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul F. Steinberg
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Government Regulation ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Free Enterprise ◽  
Tetraethyl Lead ◽  
Corporate Behavior ◽  
Surgeon General ◽  
The Us

As we continue our exploration of who rules the earth, we find that the economy, once you look inside it, relies on a vast system of rules and regulations, its cogs and wheels spinning day and night to enable the countless transactions that make up a modern economy. The relation between markets and rules is a fascinating one, far more complex than is suggested by the usual debates over government regulation versus free enterprise. Markets rely on rules. But increasingly, the reverse is also true: Some of our most innovative environmental policies and regulations have embedded within them market incentives designed to promote pro-environment behavior. To appreciate the stakes, let’s begin by considering what is arguably the greatest environmental tragedy—and biggest environmental success story—of all time. The removal of tetraethyl lead from gasoline has had a profound impact on human health and well-being worldwide. The change began in the United States in the late 1970s, soon spread to Europe, and over the next two decades diffused throughout the entire world. This shift was prompted by an innovative set of rules that actually assigned property rights to poison—and in the process created incentives for widespread changes in corporate behavior. Under the Clean Air Act of 1970, the US Environmental Protection Agency had the legal authority to regulate tetraethyl lead, which had been added to gasoline since the 1920s to boost engine performance. The original decision to add “ethyl” to the chemical mixture sloshing around in our gas tanks took place despite dire warnings from health experts. Foremost among these was Alice Hamilton, Harvard’s first female professor and the country’s leading expert on the health impacts of lead, which she knew intimately from her studies of worker exposure in the largely unregulated “dangerous trades” of the time. In 1925, the US Surgeon General convened a special meeting to decide whether ethyl production could proceed despite the known health risks. Hamilton argued that it would be reckless to deliberately disperse throughout the air a substance whose toxic effects (notably damage to the human nervous system) were well known for centuries.

scholarly journals The concept of well integrity in gas production activities

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Reichetseder
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Marcellus Shale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Well Integrity ◽  
Drinking Water Resources ◽  
The Us ◽  
Geological Situation

Abstract Shale gas production in the US, predominantly from the Marcellus shale, has been accused of methane emissions and contaminating drinking water under the suspicion that this is caused by hydraulic fracturing in combination with leaking wells. Misunderstandings of the risks of shale gas production are widespread and are causing communication problems. This paper discusses recent preliminary results from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) draft study, which is revealing fact-based issues: EPA did not find evidence that these mechanisms have led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States, which contrasts many broad-brushed statements in media and public. The complex geological situation and extraction history of oil, gas and water in the Marcellus area in Pennsylvania is a good case for learnings and demonstrating the need for proper analysis and taking the right actions to avoid problems. State-of-the-art technology and regulations of proper well integrity are available, and their application will provide a sound basis for shale gas extraction.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document