M3.3 Environmental Justice

Reading several of the websites and postings that provide insight on environmental justice brings more like to these situations than I was aware of.

While reading an article on Environmental Health News on the radioactive chemicals showing up in mussels in Pennsylvania’s state river,  (read article here) I realized I should be paying more attention to where our food is naturally sourced and what potential chemical environments surround it. In this article, it mentioned heavily that the impact of bioaccumulation, the buildup of chemicals in living creatures, and how it is still unsure how it directly impacts our health as humans, but knows that this is an important reason to pay attention to the foods we are eating. This article was especially alarming since my family heavily enjoys seafood and mussels, and thus wanting to know where more of our seafood locally comes from could potentially harm our health if not properly sourced.In another health news article in Reuters (link here) about how environmentally unsafe chemicals can affect human reproductive health, specifically endocrine disrupting chemicals. This, in relation to the CNN article that did a special on chemical blood lab draw to reveal the chemical exposures in the body are related to one another – their possible food sources. Chemical exposures are not only just environmental but also what we choose to eat and get our food from.What I believe about environmental justice is that we as humans do not know enough. I personally struggle with what I believe is best for my health, and also what is readily available to me to make these types of choices. For example, if I can afford to live in a community that is away from chemical / environmental hazards such as a freeway, power plant or heavy chemical company, I consider myself already ahead of the health curve as compared to many people who do not have that choice due to income or accessibility. If I am not given the option to choose fresh vegetables grown locally versus chemically enhanced cheaper alternatives that is also something that I cannot control if the option is not given to me. It is a difficult situation as many populations are not automatically given that ‘head start’ to choose their environment of health, but what they can do to enhance is it also just as equally a choice. For those who suffer from air pollutants, without the proper health clinics or medication to dispense and assist these populations at an affordable price, we are not doing this population any good by withholding these health resources because they cannot afford it.

 

While reading the web article by Nick Chiles hosted on Atlanta black Star,  “8 Horrifying Examples of Corporations Mistreating Black Communities with Environmental Racism” (link here )Many of these communities listed were products of their living conditions because of the environment that was chosen within their community. It is unfair to place these chemical plants in local areas where families reside – I am aware that land regulations are usually involved in where to place these toxic companies, so why are there not any regulation emphasis on building residential properties where people reside? This especially fits into what is happening with the Black Lives Matter Movement, where they are empowering communities such as these who are underserved and outcasted because of their race. In this post specifically, it is mentioned how "Environmental racism is made possible by extreme segregation due to the racial and ethnic groups compared to income and occupation status, African Americans were exposed to higher crime rates and less education solely based on their race.