Rana Charafeddine, Department of Environmental Health, Boston University, 715 Albany Street, T-2 East, Boston, MA 02118, 514 738 7721, ranas@bu.edu

Previous environmental justice studies have shown that socially disadvantaged groups are more likely to live near industrial sources of pollution and in areas that do not meet air quality standards. Also, studies have shown that at the wake of the twenty first century, the majority of African Americans remain severely segregated from whites in major American metropolitan areas. In this context, we raise the question: Is residential segregation associated with environmental injustice?

This study will explore residential segregation in Massachusetts and increased exposures to air pollution for minority and low income populations. Using a geographic information system, census tract exposure to motor vehicle emissions will be estimated from traffic count data provided by the Massachusetts Highway Department. Numerous exposure assessment and epidemiological studies have used traffic volume as a surrogate for air pollution. Geographic concentration of minorities will be used as a measurement approach to reflect residential segregation. This geographic concentration will be examined thought the racial composition of the census tract (75% minority population), as well as racial population change (1990-2000). Data to characterize census tract by race and income will be extracted from the 2000 US census.

We expect that low income persons and minorities in Massachusetts will be more likely to live in high traffic density areas. Furthermore, populations living in established minority census tract or census tract with declining white population will be relatively more exposed to traffic pollution than those living in less segregated areas.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss methods used to assess air pollution and segregation on the census tract level.
• Describe how residential segregation and environmental justice are associated.
• Recognize the importance of political and economic power in roadways sitting.

Keywords: Air Pollutants, Environmental Justice

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.