Race predicts environmental hazard exposure better than income does

Evidence

Since the 1960s, researchers have analyzed the distribution of numerous environmental hazards: garbage dumps, air pollution, lead poisoning, toxic waste production and disposal, pesticide poisoning, noise pollution, occupational hazards, and rat bites. Their overwhelming conclusion is that these environmental hazards are inequitably distributed by income or race. In studies that looked at distribution of these hazards by income and race, race was most often found to be the better predictor of exposure to environmental dangers. — Luke W. Cole and Sheila R. Foster, From the Ground Up, 294

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Luke W. Cole and Sheila R. Foster, From the Ground Up: Environmental…, 294
• XREF: connects to: Environmental enforcement is dramatically weaker in communities of color regardless of wealth.; Market-dynamics siting outcomes remain racist once housing discrimination is factored in — Luke W. Cole and Sheila R. Foster, From the Ground Up: Environmental…, 336; Race, not income, best predicts where toxic waste sites are located — Harriet A. Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste, 465 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Race, not income, best predicts where toxic waste sites are located #corroborates (0.98) — Harriet A. Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste, 465
• Race is the strongest predictor of hazardous waste facility siting in the US #corroborates (0.95) — David Schlosberg, Defining Environmental Justice, 208