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Reading, Writing, and Toxics: Children's Health, Academic Performance, and Environmental Justice in Los Angeles

Author

Listed:
  • Manuel Pastor Jr

    (Center for Justice, Tolerance, and Community, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA)

  • James L Sadd

    (Environmental Science, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA 90041, USA)

  • Rachel Morello-Frosch

    (Center for Environmental Studies and Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA)

Abstract

A significant body of previous research on environmental justice has demonstrated a disproportionate burden of environmental hazards on low-income and minority residents. In this paper we evaluate spatially indexed data on estimated respiratory and cancer risks associated with exposures to ambient air toxics to show that children of color in the Los Angeles Unified School District suffer potentially disparate health impacts, and that disparities in environmental risks may be associated with diminished school performance—even after controlling for socioeconomic and demographic covariates that generally explain much of the variation in student scores. Remediating environmental health risks in distressed neighborhoods could, therefore, improve both health and human capital.

Suggested Citation

  • Manuel Pastor Jr & James L Sadd & Rachel Morello-Frosch, 2004. "Reading, Writing, and Toxics: Children's Health, Academic Performance, and Environmental Justice in Los Angeles," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 22(2), pages 271-290, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirc:v:22:y:2004:i:2:p:271-290
    DOI: 10.1068/c009r
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eric A. Hanushek, "undated". "The Evidence on Class Size," Wallis Working Papers WP10, University of Rochester - Wallis Institute of Political Economy.
    2. James T. Hamilton, 1995. "Testing for environmental racism: Prejudice, profits, political power?," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 14(1), pages 107-132.
    3. James P. Smith, 1999. "Healthy Bodies and Thick Wallets: The Dual Relation between Health and Economic Status," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 13(2), pages 145-166, Spring.
    4. Manuel Pastor, Jr. & James L. Sadd & Rachel Morello‐Frosch, 2002. "Who's Minding the Kids? Pollucion, Public Schools, and Environmental Justice in Los Angeles," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 83(1), pages 263-280, March.
    5. Rachel A. Morello‐Frosch & Tracey J. Woodruff & Daniel A. Axelrad & Jane C. Caldwell, 2000. "Air Toxics and Health Risks in California: The Public Health Implications of Outdoor Concentrations," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(2), pages 273-292, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Janet Currie & Eric A. Hanushek & E. Megan Kahn & Matthew Neidell & Steven G. Rivkin, 2009. "Does Pollution Increase School Absences?," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 91(4), pages 682-694, November.
    2. Zwickl, Klara, 2019. "The demographics of fracking: A spatial analysis for four U.S. states," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 202-215.

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