3.3 Environmental Justice

For decades, issues have come arise that people of color have decreased health outcomes because systems back in the day were not in place to protect them. The impact of environment on human health was overstated for years which increased poor air quality, disproportionate exposures to hazards, and unhealthy housing conditions. All which are highly correlated with chronic conditions like asthma, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer. It was not until the 1980’s when the U.S. General Accounting Office did a study which found that 3 out of 4 hazard waste landfills in the Southern region of the US were located in predominately African American communities. From then, countless executive orders and laws have been passed in order to reverse some of the damage that has been done, but sadly it is not enough. 

In the reading, 8 Horrifying Examples of Corporations Mistreating Black Communities with Environmental Racism, an excerpt that really hit home was the Chevron Richmond Refinery, by Standard Oil. With how expensive California is to live in, it is no wonder why these underprivileged communities, primarily African Americans, either have to or choose to live in Richmond. In the article, it stated that people living in Richmond are at a higher risk of dying from heart disease or strokes and are more likely to have asthma. 

I always pass the Valero Benicia Refinery when driving up to my family’s lake house. Every time I pass it I can’t help but think that what they are pumping into our air and water is not environmentally friendly and can cause serious health concerns. It really scares me to think that these kinds of refineries can have such a terrible impact onto our environment and health. Obviously being aware of what kind of toxins someone is being exposed to in these communities is important but when is enough enough?