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A GIS—Environmental Justice Analysis of Particulate Air Pollution in Hamilton, Canada

A GIS—Environmental Justice Analysis of Particulate Air Pollution in Hamilton, Canada. Presented by Nicole Wooten Environmental Studies & English double major GEOG 370; 2.29.10.

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A GIS—Environmental Justice Analysis of Particulate Air Pollution in Hamilton, Canada

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  1. A GIS—Environmental Justice Analysis of Particulate Air Pollution in Hamilton, Canada Presented by Nicole Wooten Environmental Studies & English double major GEOG 370; 2.29.10 • Paper by: Jerrett, M., Burnett, R., Kanaroglou, P., & Eyles, J. (2001). A GIS--environmental justice analysis of particulate air pollution in Hamilton, Canada. Environment and Planning, 33(1), 955-973. Retrieved from Geobase database.

  2. Problem • The environmental justice movement of Canada wanted to improve quantitative air pollution exposure estimates for justice and health issues. Hamilton was chosen for its detailed data on urban air pollution, its major industrial area, and its high death rate (90 to 321/yr) from air pollution-related problems. Question: • Is there inequality in the exposure of the citizens of Hamilton to outdoor air pollution, and if so, on what factor(s) is the inequality based?

  3. Methods, Data, and Testing • Used GIS environmental health database from 10 years of monitoring total suspended particulate concentrations (TSP) from 23 monitoring stations • Calculated which areas exceeded the Ontario Ministry of the Environment suggested limit of 60 μg m-3 annual exposure, and which areas experienced extreme events (120+ μg m-3 per day ) • Pollution levels overlaid as polygons on a GIS map of 1991 Census data to show if low-income (equated separately to low housing costs, low income, and unemployment) and minority groups (equated to immigration levels) minority were more likely to live in areas of high air pollution.

  4. Results • Areas near the industrial core exceed air pollution standards over 25% of the time; distant western city area exceed the standard less than 5% of the time • Socioeconomic categories of house value, unemployment, and low income do have significant effects on pollution exposure • Dwelling value has the strongest association with ambient air quality.

  5. Conclusions Results • In Hamilton, citizens of lower socioeconomic status (as judged by housing costs) are exposed to higher levels of air pollution than citizens of higher socioeconomic status. Critiques • Air-quality monitoring stations existed only on the periphery of the heavy industrial zone • This analysis should be repeated in other areas, with better and more up-to-date information (especially regarding race).

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