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The Ecology of Technological Risk in a Sunbelt City

Author

Listed:
  • Bob Bolin
  • Amy Nelson
  • Edward J Hackett
  • K David Pijawka
  • C Scott Smith
  • Diane Sicotte

    (Center for Environmental Studies and Department of Sociology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-2101, USA)

  • Edward K Sadalla

    (Center for Environmental Studies and Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1104, USA)

  • Eric Matranga

    (Center for Environmental Studies, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-3211, USA)

  • Maureen O'Donnell

    (Department of Sociology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-2101, USA)

Abstract

In this paper we examine the spatial distributions of four types of technological hazards in the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area. The focus is on the locations of hazardous industrial and toxic waste sites in relation to the demographic composition of adjacent neighborhoods. Our interest is to determine whether hazardous sites, including industrial facilities in the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory, Large Quantity Generators of hazardous wastes, Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities, and federally identified contamination sites, are disproportionately located in areas with lower income and minority residents. We examine patterns of environmental inequity in Phoenix, a sprawling Sunbelt city with a growing post-Fordist industrial sector. First, using 1996 EPA data for four types of technological hazards, and 1995 Special Census data for Maricopa County, we employ a GIS to map the spatial distributions of hazardous sites and to analyze the demographic characteristics of census tracts with and without point-source hazards. A second methodology is used to produce a cumulative hazard density index for census tracts, based on the number of hazard zones—one-mile-radius circles around each facility—that overlay each tract. Both methodologies disclose clear patterns of social inequities in the distribution of technological hazards. The cumulative hazard density index provides a spatially sensitive methodology that reveals the disproportionate distribution of risk burdens in urban census tracts. The findings point to a consistent pattern of environmental injustice by class and race across a range of technological hazards in the Phoenix metropolitan region.

Suggested Citation

  • Bob Bolin & Amy Nelson & Edward J Hackett & K David Pijawka & C Scott Smith & Diane Sicotte & Edward K Sadalla & Eric Matranga & Maureen O'Donnell, 2002. "The Ecology of Technological Risk in a Sunbelt City," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 34(2), pages 317-339, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:34:y:2002:i:2:p:317-339
    DOI: 10.1068/a3494
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Susan L. Cutter & Danika Holm & Lloyd Clark, 1996. "The Role of Geographic Scale in Monitoring Environmental Justice," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(4), pages 517-526, August.
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    1. Kathleen Tierney, 2012. "A bridge to somewhere: William Freudenburg, environmental sociology, and disaster research," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 2(1), pages 58-68, March.
    2. William Bowen & Mark Atlas & Sugie Lee, 2009. "Industrial agglomeration and the regional scientific explanation of perceived environmental injustice," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 43(4), pages 1013-1031, December.
    3. D. K. Yoon & Jung Eun Kang & Juhyeon Park, 2017. "Exploring Environmental Inequity in South Korea: An Analysis of the Distribution of Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Facilities and Toxic Releases," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-14, October.
    4. Cutts, Bethany B. & Darby, Kate J. & Boone, Christopher G. & Brewis, Alexandra, 2009. "City structure, obesity, and environmental justice: An integrated analysis of physical and social barriers to walkable streets and park access," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(9), pages 1314-1322, November.
    5. Harlan, Sharon L. & Brazel, Anthony J. & Prashad, Lela & Stefanov, William L. & Larsen, Larissa, 2006. "Neighborhood microclimates and vulnerability to heat stress," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(11), pages 2847-2863, December.

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