The Distribution and Enforcement of Air Polluting Facilities in New Jersey

Author: Mennis, Jeremy L.

Source: The Professional Geographer, Volume 57, Number 3, August 2005 , pp. 411-422(12)

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Abstract:

This study examines the spatial distribution and enforcement of air polluting facilities in the state of New Jersey, as listed in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Aerometric Information Retrieval System. Results show that air-polluting facilities tend to concentrate near minority neighborhoods, although this relationship is partially explained by factors of population density, manufacturing employment, and land use. Other results suggest that facilities in areas with a relatively high percentage of minority population tend to have a weaker record of environmental enforcement as compared to other facilities. Of the socioeconomic variables considered, employment in manufacturing appears to be the most strongly related to environmental enforcement.

Keywords: environmental justice; air pollution; race

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0033-0124.2005.00487.x

Affiliations: 1: Temple University

Publication date: 2005-08-01