Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2010MA248B

An assessment methodology for differential impact on environmental justice populations of releases of industrial toxics to water in Massachusetts

Institute: Massachusetts
Year Established: 2010 Start Date: 2010-04-01 End Date: 2010-07-30
Total Federal Funds: $5,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $10,023

Principal Investigators: Michael Ash

Project Summary: Release of toxic chemicals into surface water by industrial facilities in Massachusetts puts the drinking water of many communities at risk and potentially impacts human health. Previous research on environmental justice (EJ) has found that low income and minority populations are disproportionately impacted by industrial air pollution and by the siting of hazardous waste facilities, but no methodology exists for assessing the differential impact of surface-water releases of industrial toxics on EJ populations. We will examine social and economic characteristics of communities in proximity to facilities releasing toxics to surface water in Massachusetts. The methods and metrics developed for assessing community exposure and environmental justice in industrial water pollution will be applicable to the entire United States.