Assessing the State of Environmental Injustice in Michigan

Created by: Zach, Gabe, Madi, Alissa, Jackson

The Greater Grand Rapids area is no stranger to environmental injustice, and has been in a constant battle with environmental issues for years. These issues include food justice air pollution, hazardous chemical contamination/vapor intrusion, and lead poisoning. All of these have been a thorn in the sides of the citizens who live in these areas and have shown no sign of easing up. Communities like Baxter and Madison Square are two that have been getting a lot of attention due to these environmental issues. Areas like these are especially susceptible because of their location in the industrial part of Grand Rapids. With this showcase we have hopes of educating the public about these issues and want to show what actions have been taken to fix them and what you can do as a citizen to help the environment and the people who are suffering alongside it.

Most of these environmental issues affect communities of color/minorities and or those of lower income like Madison Square and Baxter. The average income for a household in Madison Square is around 27,014 dollars a year and the average income of a household in Baxter Community is 32,850 dollars (areavibes, 2016). The citizens who live in areas like these often cannot afford good healthcare and are sadly the ones that need it the most. Communities like these are a result of environmental injustice in the Greater Grand Rapids area and are the reason this showcase is so important in the effort to spread awareness of the situation.

Air Pollution/Air Quality

  • Heavily affected areas in Grand Rapids: (Baxter/Madison Square)

  • Negative effects (health/environmental) A dangerous gas produced from burning gas and diesel is nitrogen dioxide. Nitrogen dioxide, "irritates our respiratory systems and is a major trigger of asthma attacks" (Neighborhood Environmental Action Report, 2019, pg. 24). With that being said in urban low-income areas many citizens are forced to breathe polluted and dangerous air.

  • Causes: There are many causes of air pollution, but the ones that affect the communities in Grand Rapids include, "Emissions from transportation, manufacturing, and power generation" (Neighborhood Environmental Action Report, 2019, pg. 24).

  • Solutions: Grand Rapids Air Quality (GRAQ) Initiative. This initiative requires the use of air pollution sensors to gather important data about nitrogen dioxide, airborne particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and ground level ozone. (Neighborhood Environmental Action Report, 2019, pg. 26). The data gathered from these sensors will aid in the current plans and future plans to combat air pollution in the affected areas. Another solution that you can do is limiting your use of transportation with personal vehicles and taking public transportation more often to cut done on polluting emissions.

  • Who in these communities is at higher risk to health-related problems from poor air quality: Elderly people, and people with underlying health conditions.

Vapor Intrusion

  • Madison Square is heavily affected by Vapor Intrusion

  • Vapor intrusion occurred in Madison Square when tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene from underground made it's way up into a building.

  • The negative effects from being in contact with the vapor from the chemicals include Liver damage, kidney damage, immune system issues, headaches, dizziness, and could eventually cause cancer.

  • In January 2016 The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality tested two buildings and found a dangerously high level of contamination, however, they didn't think much of it until almost five months later in May when they repeated the test and found the same result. They immediately evacuated these areas to try and fix these problems.

  • As shown by this embarrassingly slow reaction from when they discovered it and to attempt to solve these issues, and their failure to warn the nearby inhabitants needs to be addressed and fixed. The MDEQ should have more efficient ways to try and improve their testing and to test more often. They should also inform anyone within a certain distance from the affected areas of the issues to help anyone who could be affected.

  • Since 2005 lead poisoning in children has decreased over 70%. However, in recent years there has been an increase in the rate of lead poisoning among children near Madison Square and Baxter.

  • One of the main reasons is the presence of lead based paint on old houses and other structures. The paint chips and breaks, causing a dust that can be breathed in.

  • Exposure to lead can lead to many health problems and is especially hurtful towards child development. Even low levels of lead exposure can lead to a decrease in brain function.

  • The dust from the lead based paint can also get into the soil. Once plants grow they suck up some of the lead in the soil. Then animals eat the lead infested plants which impacts all other local animals.

  • Lead poisoning is a serious issue with consequences that can last for a lifetime. It's important for everyone to stand up and raise awareness of lead poisoning.

Food Justice

  • Low-income neighborhoods and communities of color experience food justice.

  • People who deal with food insecurity also live in communities dealing with lead contamination and air pollution.

  • Health problems caused by eating unhealthy foods include obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and etc. African Americans experience a higher percentage in these medical conditions.

  • Non-profit organizations in Grand Rapids help bring healthy food to low-income families. Some organizations include YMCA Veggie Van, and farmers markets that go to the neighborhoods lacking in fresh foods.

  • Community gardens, school gardens and events that educate the public on eating healthy help low-income families eat healthier foods. Some soil in these communities are contaminated by lead so they build platformed garden beds.

https://cityblossoms.org/community-green-spaces

Green Spaces

  • A green space is any accessible park, community garden, or nature area for people to gather.

  • Community green spaces are a great way to promote a healthy life style in urban residences. They encourage exercise by giving people within the community walking paths to enjoy with the beautiful scenery. Green spaces are also a great way to get to know your neighbors and the people living around you.

  • Green spaces act as a solution to many environmental concerns. They help decrease noise and air pollution by providing trees to help increase good air quality.

  • Examples of community green spaces include Riverside Park and Fredrick Meijer Gardens.

Conclusion

The Greater Grand Rapids area may be fighting these issues but they are no longer fighting them alone. Over the last few years more and more people have been lending a helping hand and devoting their time to fixing these problems. Although these environmental issues are still present and will be present for years to come, plans and strategies have been put in place to combat them. By doing the little things to give back to these communities and areas there will be light at the end of the tunnel and maybe one day, these issues will be gone for good.

ENS 201,01 Group D