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The Search for Environmental Justice: The Story of North Birmingham

Author

Listed:
  • Shauntice Allen

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, USA)

  • Michelle V. Fanucchi

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, USA)

  • Lisa C. McCormick

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, USA)

  • Kristina M. Zierold

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, USA)

Abstract

Environmental justice is a rising social movement throughout the world. Research is beginning to define the movement and address the disparities that exist among communities exposed to pollution. North Birmingham, a community made up of six neighborhoods in Jefferson County, Alabama, in the United States, is a story of environmental injustice. Heavy industry, including the 35th Avenue Superfund Site, has caused significant environmental pollution over time, leaving residents concerned that their health and well-being are at risk from continued exposure. For years, pollution has impacted the community, and residents have fought and challenged industry and government. The United States (U.S.) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) in Alabama have historically played a role in working with the community regarding their health concerns. In this manuscript, we describe a city entrenched in environmental injustice. We provide the history of the community, the responsible parties named for the contamination, the government’s involvement, and the community’s response to this injustice. Through this manuscript, we offer insight into a global concern that challenges local communities on a daily basis.

Suggested Citation

  • Shauntice Allen & Michelle V. Fanucchi & Lisa C. McCormick & Kristina M. Zierold, 2019. "The Search for Environmental Justice: The Story of North Birmingham," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:12:p:2117-:d:239974
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hongtai Huang & Timothy M. Barzyk, 2016. "Connecting the Dots: Linking Environmental Justice Indicators to Daily Dose Model Estimates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Roberto Pasetto & Benedetta Mattioli & Daniela Marsili, 2019. "Environmental Justice in Industrially Contaminated Sites. A Review of Scientific Evidence in the WHO European Region," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-20, March.
    3. Carla Campbell & Rachael Greenberg & Deepa Mankikar & Ronald D. Ross, 2016. "A Case Study of Environmental Injustice: The Failure in Flint," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-11, September.
    4. Lindsay P. Galway, 2016. "Boiling over: A Descriptive Analysis of Drinking Water Advisories in First Nations Communities in Ontario, Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuliang Jiang & Yufeng Yang, 2022. "Environmental Justice in Greater Los Angeles: Impacts of Spatial and Ethnic Factors on Residents’ Socioeconomic and Health Status," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-26, April.
    2. Crystal Stephens & Young-il Kim & Rekha Ramachandran & Monica L. Baskin & Veena Antony & Sejong Bae, 2022. "Disparities in Healthcare Utilization: Superfund Site vs. Neighboring Comparison Site," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-10, July.

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