NEIGHBORHOOD EXPOSURE TO TOXIC RELEASES - ARE THERE RACIAL INEQUITIES

This paper explores the use of empirical evidence to determine whether the exposure of minorities to environmental risks constitutes aversiv e racism. Connections are drawn between definitions of aversive racism and statistical approaches to research into the relationship between race and risk, paying particular attention to the influence of both no n-racial discrimination and industrial location factors. Federal judic ial and executive remedies to aversive racism are examined in light of the standards of evidence presented. An empirical study of the connec tion between race and exposure to toxic releases is then presented for Census block groups in Georgia and Ohio. It was found that the signif icance of race depends on the breadth of the explanatory model used in the analysis. A model of overall exposure to toxic releases shows tha t race is significant in a narrow model of discrimination but not ina broader model including industrial location factors. However, a model of targeting of minorities in the recent location of toxics-emitting f acilities fails to show discrimination in any of the regression analys es. These findings support the view that environmental justice concern s cannot be addressed through reform of siting processes; broader reme dies involving more stringent protection of exposure to toxic emission s are more likely to be effective.