Presenters:
Shuo Liang
University of Southern California
With mid-20th century industrialization and urbanization in the U.S., secondary lead smelters grew to meet lead demand and support the recycling economy. These smelters were often in urban industrial areas, and lead emissions affected nearby communities. In early 2000s, researchers found many secondary smelter sites were never documented by local or federal environmental agencies (such as the U.S. Environmental Pollution Agency, EPA). Lead, a potent neurotoxin, is particularly harmful to children, causing developmental delays and neurological damage. Given these serious advsersal health impacts, it is crucial to assess whether legacy lead affects socioeconomically vulnerable communities.
This study aims to assess this relationship between historical lead smelters and social-economic factors near the smelters using GIS and spatial statistics. The data used include EPA’s EJScreen, historical Redlining data, and the latest 5-year American Community Survey to analyze cumulative environmental burdens and their intersection with socioeconomic vulnerabilities. It focused on the Northeastern U.S., due to its dense populations and a history of industrial activities of smelting operations. By creating 1-mile and 3-mile buffers around smelters, the study evaluates exposure risks and identifies affected communities. The findings provide data-driven insights for public health policies, environmental remediation, and targeted interventions, contributing to more equitable environmental policies.
