Demographic and Socioeconomic Differentials in Residential Propinquity to Hazardous Waste Sites and Environmental Illness

Abstract

This study addresses the critical issues of hazardous waste distribution, environmental injustice, and associated human health problems. Demographic and socioeconomic disparities in residential propinquity to hazardous waste sites and related health problems are evaluated through discriminant analysis and logistic regression models. Respondents' perceptions of specific environmentally induced morbidity such as lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and respiratory problems are presented. Findings indicate that while Blacks are most likely to reside near hazardous waste facilities, they are less likely to perceive hazardous waste sites as the most serious problem. Furthermore, gender and socioeconomic factors are statistically significant in predicting the likelihood of environmental illness. Minority status (Black) was found to be more significant than socioeconomic factors in predicting residence propinquity to hazardous waste sites, controlling for demographic and economic variables. Thus, the assertion of environmental racial and gender inequity found strong support in the model estimated. The implications for community level actions, environmental education, environmental equity policy, and future research are discussed.