RPG: The Role of Race and Class in Exposure to Environmental Hazards

小行星9321614 随着地理学家和其他科学家越来越了解污染和其他环境问题的空间分布，少数民族和种族群体不成比例地暴露于许多风险的趋势变得更加明显。 不幸的是，关于这个主题的许多研究往往只提供“快照”视图，在有限的时间内检查关系。 因此，对少数群体受到不利影响的过程的了解有限。 这项研究规划补助金将使一个富有成效的年轻研究人员探索这一重要问题的新方法。 将通过一项关于废弃有毒废物场地对洛杉矶的非洲裔美国人和拉丁美洲人的影响的试点研究，对微观和宏观两级的分析进行审查。 将利用历史记录来检查有毒废物在整个城市的分布情况。 在废弃场地所在的地区，将研究土地使用、工业、住宅和工作场所模式的演变。 这些资料将与关于少数群体不断变化的人口和社会形态的资料相结合，以便更好地评估少数群体接触有毒废物的性质。 在通过这项试点研究改进了研究方法之后，调查人员计划对这些少数民族人口面临的其他环境问题进行平行分析，包括商业危险废物设施和有毒空气污染。 通过开展这一项目，将对导致许多少数群体面临比其他群体更严重的环境问题的因素有新的认识。 将历史维度纳入实证分析的方法的改进将大大加强“环境种族主义”的理论讨论。“这项研究规划赠款也将提供宝贵的援助，一个有前途的年轻拉丁美洲妇女在一个关键的早期阶段，在她的独立研究生涯。 ***

9321614 PULIDO As geographers and other scientists become more aware of the spatial distribution of pollution and other environmental problems, the tendency of minority ethnic and racial groups to have disproportionate exposure to many risks has become more evident. Unfortunately, much of the research on this topic has tended to provide only "snapshot" views, examining relationships for a limited time period. As a result, knowledge about the processes through which minority groups are adversely impacted is limited. This Research Planning Grant will enable a productive young investigator to explore new approaches to this important problem. Both micro- and macro-level analyses will be examined through a pilot study of the impacts of abandoned toxic-waste sites on African Americans and Latinos in Los Angeles. The distribution of toxic-waste sites through the city will be examined using historical records. In areas where abandoned sites are located, the evolution of land-use, industrial, residential, and workplace patterns will be studied. This information will be combined with information about the changing demographic and social patterns of minority groups in order to better assess the nature of minority exposure to toxic wastes. After research methods have been refined through this pilot study, the investigator plans to conduct parallel analyses of the exposure of these minority populations to other environmental problems, including commercial hazardous-waste facilities and toxic air pollution. Through the conduct of this project, new insights will be gained regarding the factors that have resulted in many minority groups being exposed to more severe environmental problems than other groups. Refinement of methods that incorporate a historical dimension to empirical analyses will significantly enhance theoretical discussions of "environmental racism." This research planning grant also will provide valuable assistance to a promising young Latino woman at a critical early stage in her independent research career. ***