Embedded Files
Group C
Assessing the State of Environmental Justice in the Greater Grand Rapids Area
What is Environmental Injustice?
Environmental injustice is the disproportionate exposure of minority communities to pollution and its effects on the overall health of communities and the environment, as well as unequal environmental protection provided through laws and government programs.
Who is LINC UP?
LINC UP is a community development program that works to expand affordable housing and create equitable access to healthful environments within the Grand Rapids community. Their work focuses on changing policies that limit opportunities in under-resourced communities and neighborhoods. LINC UP works directly with the community to empower the community and works to solve the environmental issues that face the Grand Rapids area.
Who Suffers From Environmental Injustice the Most?
Communities that suffer the most from environmental injustice include communities of color (environmental racism) as well as low-income communities.
Locally: The Southeast Grand Rapids community faces the heaviest burdens of environmental injustice. This area is largely a minority community of color and low-income residents.
Madison Square vapor intrusion crisis
High rates of lead poisoning within the 49507 zip code
Kent County has the highest average air pollution in the state of Michigan (outside of Detroit)
Why Is This Project Important?
This showcase is important because it informs and educates the public on the disproportionate effects of environmental issues on the communities within the greater Grand Rapids area. Spreading awareness on these topics is the first step in taking action and making a difference in the community.
What Are The Environmental Issues Facing the Greater Grand Rapids Area?
Vapor Intrusion
What is Vapor Intrusion?
Vapor intrusion occurs when underground chemical pollution or radon penetrates building foundations and contaminates indoor air.
Testing in 2016 found dangerously high levels of contamination in the Madison Square neighborhood of Southeast Grand Rapids. The source of contamination is an abandoned dry cleaner at 401 Hall St. SE, which since closing has spread toxic chemicals that have leaked into the groundwater. MDEQ failed to notify the residents of the area before it was too late. Even when they did know about the issue, they were slow to notify the residents. The current toxins found in the southeast side of Grand Rapids can cause liver and kidney damage, immune system problems, headaches, and dizziness, and they are suspected carcinogens. Blood level testing of the residents who were evacuated from the site found dangerous levels of contaminants in their system.
Currently, a “Sparging System” (a process of injecting air directly into groundwater) is being used to remove the chemicals from the contaminated soil; however, the toxic plume of chemicals is still present in the area to this day.
Lead Poisoning
What is Lead Poisoning and How Does it Occur?
Lead poisoning occurs when you absorb too much lead by breathing or swallowing a substance that contains lead. Lead can be found in everyday materials such as paint, dust, water, or food. Lead can cause damage to almost every organ system. In children, too much lead in the body can cause lasting problems with growth and development.
Grand Rapids has a long-standing pattern of high rates of child lead poisoning. These rates are disproportionately affecting the 49507 zip code, which represents 1/3 of the problem in the county. Furthermore, most cases come from the northwest portion of the zip code where there is a larger amount of non-white and less affluent people.
Current Efforts
The Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan partners with community members to address lead poisoning, as well as other household health concerns.
They hope to educate the community on the dangers of lead exposure while also working to raise housing standards and expand the number of lead-safe homes in the affected areas.
Food Justice
Food and its Impact on People
A survey of Kent County in 2017 showed that accessing healthy food is challenging for communities of color, people living in low-income neighborhoods, and people living in rural areas. Access to healthy food is an important aspect of having a healthy lifestyle, and this is particularly true for those living in areas impacted by environmental pollution as healthy eating helps minimize the impact of toxins. Higher percentages of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and maternal-infant mortality are seen among African-Americans. Additionally, a lack of access to nutrient-dense foods negatively impacts the development and behavior of children. Food justice also advocates for safe working conditions and livable wages for migrant and food workers. Businesses involved in the food supply chain make the most money from fast-, junk-, and convenience-foods, which leads to a lower distribution of healthy food options.
www.flickr.com/photos/thegef/36746388732
Food and its Impact on the Environment
Conventional agriculture is unsustainable and negatively impacts the environment in several ways. The chemicals used in agriculture are made from fossil fuels, and the placing of chemicals on fields often results in runoff that pollutes fields. Concentrated animal feed operations require large amounts of water, and they pollute watersheds. Agriculture is also one of the leading causes of deforestation. Genetically modified crops and pesticides threaten the diversity of plants, animals, and insects.
Actions Being Taken
To minimize the impacts of agriculture, a global shift towards organic farming methods that are capable of naturally maintaining healthy soil is necessary. Several non-profits in the Grand Rapids area are working to provide more equitable access to healthy food. These organizations' efforts include food pantries, farmers' markets, the creation of home and community gardens, educational events, increasing policy awareness, and work to increase the purchasing power of SNAP/EBT benefits.
www.flickr.com/photos/michigancommunities/15333234232
Green Space Accessibility
Why is Green Space Important?
Studies show that green space supports public health by promoting physical activity and tending to the psychological well-being of urban residents. Green spaces also play a role in reducing noise pollution, improving air quality, and in lead abatement. Other benefits include erosion control, storm-runoff mitigation, and carbon sequestration which not only helps the environment but also saves millions of dollars. Additionally, planting trees brings the community together and allows for relationships to be built.
Environmental Justice Issues & Green Space Distribution
Environmental justice issues are evident in the inequitable distribution of green spaces. There is an enduring reluctance to plant trees and develop green spaces in low-income neighborhoods where rental housing dominates. The result? A consistently less healthy environment for residents in these areas.
What Can Be Done Within the Community?
Education on the value of green spaces in the community
Strengthening the relationships between Grand Rapids residents and the green spaces that are available to them
Planting trees can be a beautiful way to bring the community together, help people to connect to their environment, and create a lasting effect on the environment
Air Quality
Poor air quality is one of the most important issues facing the greater Grand Rapids area because it plays a key role in the quality of life. It is a primary concern due to its impact on the community as a whole--we all breathe air. While this issue can affect everyone, air quality remains an environmental justice issue because of its disproportionate impact on people of color.
Kent County is one of the communities suffering the most from this issue. This area has the highest average particulate air pollution in the state of Michigan outside of greater Detroit. There is also a disproportionate impact of poor air quality on low-income residents.
Air pollution is responsible for two to three deaths per year due to air pollution-related illnesses.
Residential air pollution impacts more non-whites in terms of nitrogen dioxide exposure, which often irritates our respiratory system and is a major trigger of asthma attacks.
Current Efforts in Air Quality:
High-resolution air quality data has been generated in order to help improve the understanding of air quality.
It also collects data on specific types of pollutants. These pollutants have different effects on human health and, in combination, give a useful snapshot of air pollution levels at a given time and location.
Important for helping community members decide what to do during the day regarding the weather and air quality.
Climate Change
Climate change is becoming an increasing problem everywhere in the world as the population rises and greenhouse gas emissions increase. In Michigan, it is expected that we will begin to experience warmer temperatures, drier summers, wetter springs, and more intense storms/weather experiences. More specifically, in the Greater Grand Rapids area, two "100-year" storms have occurred, causing the Grand River to overflow seriously in both instances. These effects of climate change in our local community will ultimately change the way we function as a community. There will be more power outages, school/work closures, and food shortages.
Who is Affected?
Climate change issues will mainly affect those who are unable to bear the costs of cooling and structurally sound housing. The increase of severe weather events will inevitably lead to an increase in the number of school closures and power outages. These issues will disproportionately affect low-income residents as they are more likely to suffer from economic hardship from missed workdays/school days and the cost of relocation. Ultimately, extreme weather and climate change can be an inconvenience for the affluent, but for the disadvantaged, these scenarios can lead to health concerns that can become life-threatening.
Health impacts of climate change include injury from flooding, exposure to contaminants or waterborne diseases when streams and streets flood, surface water quality issues from runoff, and carbon monoxide poisoning from using things like generators during power outages. It can also impact mental health if work or school has to be shut down and problems arise.
Current Actions:
Increased deployment of renewable energy technology
Water and energy conservation measures
Strategic use of green space
Better stormwater management
Improvements in urban land use and planning
The Rainy Day Project aims to provide education while conserving water and building relationships in the community. Reducing water bills and water heating costs for low-income households is another thing that this organization does.
To Conclude . . .
There are a variety of environmental issues and concerns facing the greater Grand Rapids area, most of which are disproportionately affecting minority communities. Issues such as vapor intrusion, air quality, and clean water go much further than the physical environment; they affect the health of not only the planet but the health and security of the people in our local community. The greater Grand Rapids community still has a long way to go in terms of healing from a deep-rooted, unjust system. The community must continue to be diligent in working to create a better, more sustainable, and ultimately equitable environment for all.
Sources
Neighborhood Environmental Action Report, April 2019. dwej_linc_final_web-1.pdf (wordpress.com)
Green Spaces: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/145305/green-space-is-good-for-mental-health
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