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Distributional Environmental Injustices for a Minority Group without Minority Status: Arab Americans and Residential Exposure to Carcinogenic Air Pollution in the US

Author

Listed:
  • Sara E. Grineski

    (Department of Sociology/Environmental and Sustainability Studies, University of Utah, 480 S 1530 E, Room 0310, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA)

  • Timothy W. Collins

    (Department of Geography/Environmental and Sustainability Studies, University of Utah, 332 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA)

  • Ricardo Rubio

    (Department of Sociology/Environmental and Sustainability Studies, University of Utah, 480 S 1530 E, Room 0310, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA)

Abstract

Distributional environmental injustices in residential exposure to air pollution in Arab American enclaves have not been examined. We conducted our investigation at the census tract-level across the continental United States using a set of socio-demographic variables to predict cancer risk from hazardous air pollutant (HAP) exposure. Arab enclaves had a mean cancer risk score of 44.08, as compared to 40.02 in non-enclave tracts. In terms of the specific origin groups, Moroccan enclaves had the highest cancer risk score (46.93), followed by Egyptian (45.33), Iraqi (43.13), Jordanian (41.67), and Lebanese (40.65). In generalized estimating equations controlling for geographic clustering and other covariates, Arab enclaves had significantly higher cancer risks due to HAPs ( p < 0.001) than non-enclaves. When looking at specific ethnic origins, Iraqi, Palestinian, and Lebanese enclaves had significantly higher cancer risks due to HAPs (all p < 0.01) than non-enclaves. Results reveal significant environmental injustices for Arab American enclaves that should be examined in future studies. Results suggest that environmental injustice may be another way in which Arab Americans are disadvantaged as a racialized minority group without minority status.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara E. Grineski & Timothy W. Collins & Ricardo Rubio, 2019. "Distributional Environmental Injustices for a Minority Group without Minority Status: Arab Americans and Residential Exposure to Carcinogenic Air Pollution in the US," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:24:p:4899-:d:294274
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Timothy W. Collins & Sara E. Grineski, 2019. "Environmental Injustice and Religion: Outdoor Air Pollution Disparities in Metropolitan Salt Lake City, Utah," Annals of the American Association of Geographers, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 109(5), pages 1597-1617, September.
    2. Abdulrahim, Sawsan & James, Sherman A. & Yamout, Rouham & Baker, Wayne, 2012. "Discrimination and psychological distress: Does Whiteness matter for Arab Americans?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(12), pages 2116-2123.
    3. Baron, S. & Sinclair, R. & Payne-Sturges, D. & Phelps, J. & Zenick, H. & Collman, G.W. & O'Fallon, L.R., 2009. "Partnerships for environmental and occupational justice: contributions to research, capacity and public health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(S3), pages 517-525.
    4. Itzhak Omer & Udi Or, 2005. "Distributive Environmental Justice In The City: Differential Access In Two Mixed Israeli Cities," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 96(4), pages 433-443, September.
    5. David C. Folch & Daniel Arribas-Bel & Julia Koschinsky & Seth E. Spielman, 2016. "Spatial Variation in the Quality of American Community Survey Estimates," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 53(5), pages 1535-1554, October.
    6. Timothy W. Collins & Sara E. Grineski & Danielle X. Morales, 2017. "Sexual Orientation, Gender, and Environmental Injustice: Unequal Carcinogenic Air Pollution Risks in Greater Houston," Annals of the American Association of Geographers, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 107(1), pages 72-92, January.
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