EiJ Hazard: PFAS
FOR ECOGOVLAB/CCEJP CURRICULUM: Use this as a research resource during 11th and 12th Grade Lesson 2 on Hazards.
Community Forum at Davis Elementary - APR 4 6:00PM
- Community forum about the role and impact of the industrial corridor on soil contamination, air pollution, and the health of the community
- Leonel is presenting on things that Dr.
What do you hope to get out of the lab?
kvalladaresAnnotation of
In response to
I hope to be involved in projects that aim to gather scientific evidence to inform environmental decision making and advocate for greater equity and justice in environmental governance. Through this work, I hope to learn the skills needed to engage in community based research and leverage community knowledge as expert knowledge. In my department, things are often siloed and issues are only seen through one perspective. I really want to gain more experience in collaborating with a wide array of stakeholders to come up with approaches to mitigate the environmental injustices experienced in under-resourced communities.
pece_annotation_1523932670
rramosIn response to
This report is about an initiative taken by the government to rectify a century's worth of pollution dumped into the Passaic River and the means used to do it.
pece_annotation_1524538745
rramosOne process to consider is that alot of Newark Environmental and Public Health laws had not been changed since the 1950's, so that allowed for continuing of neglegence over the course of history in terms of environmental justice. Other social processes that might have played a part is race and class. Low-rise and dense housing for low-income and minority civilians have become major victims of careless industrialization.
pece_annotation_1523938886
rramosAnnotation of
In response to
The policy is a program funded by the EPA called C.A.R.E. (Community Action for a Renewed Environment). The aim of this program is to build the public voice in environmental matters, and to give access to different sources of information from the community.
pece_annotation_1524538482
rramosIn response to
A process is placed that allows for social justice to take place in the development phase.
"Commercial and Industrial developers have to go through the following process when proposing for a building:
- Reference the city’s ERI and prepare a checklist of pollutants
- Submit checklist and development application to the city
- Checklist goes to the Environmental Commission
- Checklist goes to the Planning or Zoning Board (where appropriate)
The public has full access to this checklist to weigh in on it and make their voices heard."
pece_annotation_1523927704
rramosThe first point that peaked my interest is when Dr. Nicky Sheats brought up the real world example of a powerplant that was placed in the Ironbound District. It's an example of how government standards don't reflect or align with individual standards. I thought this was interesting to see how the people didn't have their due justice in deciding to have a polluting plant in their neighborhood. The other fact that caught my eye is that Newark zoning laws, previous to being updated in 2012, had been grandfathered in since 1954. This goes to show the complete lack of awareness for public health that has resided in New Jersey's History. The last point that truly shaped this article is how steps were being taken to prevent environmental justice issues. Commercial and Industrial developers have to go through the following process when proposing for a building: "
- Reference the city’s ERI and prepare a checklist of pollutants
- Submit checklist and development application to the city
- Checklist goes to the Environmental Commission
- Checklist goes to the Planning or Zoning Board (where appropriate)
The public has full access to this checklist to weigh in on it and make their voices heard."
A GoogleDoc link to a bibliogrpahy about PFAS in Santa Ana and community-led responses