The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68984

Joshua Benjamin Fisher, BS, Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California at Berkeley, 145 Mulford Hall #3114, Berkeley, CA 94704, 510-848-2040, jfisher@nature.berkeley.edu

This paper examines the spatial point pattern of industrial toxic substances in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated Environmental Justice area of West Oakland, California. Numerous statistical techniques and methodological approaches have been used in Environmental Justice issues, and the U.S. EPA has drawn criticism for some of its decisions. I present an in-depth analysis to Environmental Justice issues at West Oakland through a geographic information systems (GIS) framework and an interdisciplinary statistical technique called Ripley’s K-function. This statistical technique is known in ecology and biology, but I present its use in Environmental Justice, which includes public health and epidemiology. This study verifies the West Oakland Environmental Justice site designation, integrates an air model with the GIS to identify the number of people potentially affected by a particular facility, engages the problem of non-point sources, and extends the analysis to another potential Environmental Justice area of South Phoenix.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• Recognize spatial statistical techniques used for approaching Environmental Justice questions,
• Describe the capabilities of GIS and point pattern analysis for agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
• Identify and/or verify future sites designated as Environmental Justice areas.

Keywords: Environmental Justice, Geographic Information Systems

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.