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

随着地理学家和其他科学家对污染和其他环境问题的空间分布认识的加深，少数民族和种族群体面临许多风险的不成比例的趋势变得更加明显。不幸的是，关于这个主题的许多研究都倾向于只提供“快照”视图，在有限的时间内检查关系。因此，关于少数群体受到不利影响的过程的知识是有限的。这项研究计划资助将使富有成效的年轻研究者能够探索解决这一重要问题的新方法。将通过一项关于废弃有毒废物场址对洛杉矶非裔美国人和拉丁美洲人影响的试验性研究，审查微观和宏观两级分析。将利用历史记录检查全市有毒废物的分布情况。在废弃地点所在的地区，将研究土地利用、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结合起来，以便更好地评价少数群体接触有毒废物的性质。在通过这项初步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暴露于其他环境问题，包括商业危险废物设施和有毒空气污染进行平行分析。通过这个项目的实施，人们将对导致许多少数群体比其他群体面临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显著加强对“环境种族主义”的理论讨论。这项研究计划补助金还将为一位有前途的年轻拉丁裔妇女在其独立研究生涯的关键早期阶段提供宝贵的援助。＊＊＊

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. ***