Sie sind auf Seite 1von 17

2011

GIS STUDY: Richmond and Henrico


Environmental justice is an important concept that connects environmental problems with those impacted the most. Air pollution is a major cause of health hazards in populations, especially those living near roads. This study geographically describes, and graphically illustrates a relationship between race and poor air pollution. The Purpose of this study is to determine what groups of people are most impacted by air pollution in Richmond and Henrico Virginia, and how smart planning can mitigate these effects.

Introduction It is important to many people living in the City of Richmond, and Henrico to live healthy lives, free of pollution and environmental hazards. Some have the option of walking outside, and breathing in fresh & clean air. Others may find this difficult because of the proximity to different sources of pollution. Being downwind from industrial sites, near heavily traversed roads like major interstates, or any other point or non-point sources will greatly increase health risks. The most susceptible (and overlooked) population in the US subject to serious health effects from air pollution may be those who live very near major regional transportation route, especially highways. People living within 200 Meters of highways are most likely to see health related issues from pollutants associated with vehicle emissions. (Brugge et al). Environmental justice is an important concept that connects environmental problems with those impacted the most. It is defined as The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws. (U.S EPA) Air pollution is a major cause of health hazards in populations, especially those living near roads. This study is important to geographically describe, and graphically illustrate a relationship between race and disproportionate amounts air pollution. As the African National Congress pointed out in 1994, poverty and environmental degradation have been closely linked & the ANC made it clear that social, economic, and political relations were also part of the environmental equation and that environmental inequalities and injustices would be addressed as an integral part. (McDonald, Environmental Justice) The previous statement acts to substantiate

the purpose of the proposed study; to determine what groups of people are most impacted by air pollution in Richmond and Henrico Virginia, and how smart planning can mitigate these effects. The reason why it is important to determine which race is disproportionately impacted the greatest is for meaningful involvement as a component of environmental justice. This means that: (1) potentially affected community residents have an appropriate opportunity to participate in decisions about a proposed activity that will affect their environment and/or health; (2) the public's contribution can influence the regulatory agency's decision; (3) the concerns of all participants involved will be considered in the decision making process; and (4) the decision makers seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected. (U.S EPA) The transportation conformity process, dictated by the Clean Air Act of 1990 (CAA), ensures that transportation projects meet air quality standards in order to be eligible for federal funding. Six criteria air pollutants under the CAA are ozone, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead. Any area that exceeds one or more of these standards is classified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as a nonattainment area. As of June 15, 2004, the Richmond region and Henrico county is classified by the USEPA as an ozone nonattainment area (Does not meet standards). The MPO (Metropolitan Planning organization) is responsible for planning and programming transportation projects for a geographic area. (Richmond Regional Planning District Commission)

Particulate Matter is particle pollution, a complex mixture of extremely small drops. This type of pollution is made up of a number of components like acids, organic chemicals, metals, soil or dust. Size of the particle is directly linked to potential health problems. Particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter pass through the nose easily, and enter the lungs. Inhalation of these particles can affect the heart and lungs, causing serious health problems. PM 10 is also known as inhalable coarse particles. They are typically found near road ways. (U.S EPA, PM)

Methods

Data Frame: Monitoring Aim 1, will determine and identify where a relationship exists between poor air quality and a specific demographic within 200 meters of monitor locations. To answer this first objective, I will use Esris GIS mapping software to perform a spatial analysis. This analysis will identify where the relationships exists between race and air pollution in Richmond and Henrico Virginia. The data I need will contain census information with race, and air quality monitoring sites. This will be crucial for symbolizing the spatial information data containing where we would see consistently higher amount of pollution in those areas. Census 2000 data was used and included population statistics based on race (White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Pacific Islander). A spatial join was performed between Henrico and Richmond shapefiles (tl_2010_51087_tabblock00, and tl_2010_51760_tabblock00, respectively) and census data (HenricoCensus.xls, and RichmondCensus.xls) retrieved from Tigerline. These two shape files were amended in a union to preserve census attributes, called Henric_union (HenRic.shp). I also obtained

Virginia DEQ air quality information. These were then added as a table (monitor sites.dbf), and displayed as XY data, and exported to a shape file (XYmonitor_sites.shp). The sites that exceeded 521ppm for total emissions were selected as attributes (exported to HighEmissionsites.dbf) and a shape file was created for Total Emissions exceeded (sitesgreater.shp). (see figure 1) A buffer was created (200mbuffer, 200mbuffer.shp) of 200 meters from the all monitor site. The clip tool was used on the 200mbuffer, and Henrico-Richmond shape file (200mbuffersclip, 200mbuffeclip.shp). Using the identity tool, Studysites.shp was created from the 200mbuffersclip and the sites exceeding total emissions; Quebecor Printing Richmond Incorporated, Reynolds Metals Company Richmond Foil Plant, Philip Morris USA Inc - Blended Leaf and Philip Morris USA Manufacturing Center. In the first and second experiments, the amendment to the 1990 clean air act states emission standards represented in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Total emission standards will be determined by the addition of the values that exceed total emission standards (see table 1.1). (NAAQS EPA) The value used to show all criteria pollutants were exceeded is 521ppm. This is the total of all pollutant standards added together, that were measured annually during 2002 at the four study sites. Some sites may vary by a particular pollutant being exceeded; however we will look at total for aim 1. Relative Risk is the ratio of the probability of an event occurring between study groups. If the value calculated is greater than 1, then the relative risk for the experimental group (black people living within 200 meters of the Reynolds Metal Plant)

will be at a higher risk than the control group (people living within 200 meters of the Philip Morris manufacturing center). A clip of the buffers and the HenRic_union allowed me to look at who was most represented within 200 meters of the study locations that exceeded total emissions. Studysites was created from selecting attributes of the high emission sites that fell within the buffers clip. I was able to then create an excel sheet (table 1) showing the amount of people who fell in these areas. In the second data frame, Cause: Aim 2, the purpose is to determine and identify the cause of high pollution. Sites that exceed 521ppm for total emissions will be evaluated to see if the cause of the pollution is more likely the proximity to roads or the proximity to a factory. Answering this question with GIS will allow me to hypothesize where the pollution is coming from. This can be done by examining location attributes of the areas with poor air quality, and Particulate Matter 10 data from the proximity to roads, or other sources of potential high emission points. Using the clip tool, I selected the HenRic_union, and vdotallrd83_Project.shp and created a shapefile called RoadClip. I then used the measuring tool to evaluate if all of my 4 sites were within 200 meters. Sites that do not fall within 200 meters of major roads can be excluded as potentially being more effected by high emissions due to cars than industrial sites. If a site falls within 200 meters of a major roadway, and has a PM10 value exceeding 150 g/m3, we can attribute the roadway as a major contributor to poor health. Cause: Aim 3 uses total emissions exceed, HenRic_union and a basemap added from add data, add basemap, imagery. A polygon shape file was created called mitigation to create areas near the sites. This information is intended to be used by

smart planners to build a park, or other green areas like Green Roofs. This should help to minimize the effects of air pollution in that area. A new feature template was also created called mitigation in the process. Polygons were created near the sites to assist planners.

Results From table 1(studysitestable.xls), we can see 1281 people are represented in the four study locations that exceed 521ppm total emissions. The black population (1175) was disproportionately represented to the white population (61). Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islander were nominally represented. This data met my assumptions, as minorities can be affected by air pollution due to their proximity of hazard sources. The study sites population totals based on race were only included from sites that exceeded total emissions. Two study sites that exceeded total emissions were chosen to evaluate the Relative Risk: Reynolds Metals Company Foil plant, and Philip Morris USA manufacturing center for black and non-black people. People who live within 200 meters, of the Reynolds metal plant, and are black represent 16 times (P^= 16/1, See table 3) the amount of the population as non-black. Those who live within 200 meters, of Philip Morris Manufacturing center and black represent 5 times (P^= 202/39, See table 3) the amount as non-black. The Relative Risk for black people living within 200m of Reynolds Metals is 2.93, compared to black people living near the Philip Morris site (table 3).

The Philip Morris Manufacturing Center had a high particulate matter 10 =17.56 (table 2) The Philip Morris USA manufacturing center was located 109 meters from I-95; the distance is much shorter than the Reynolds Metals Company at 1.14 Km, and had significantly lower PM 10 =0.32 (table 2). (see figure 2)

For aim 3, the results of the green roofs or parks would need to be evaluated by comparing monitor results from a later year. This would help planners to evaluate if the action taken to mitigate air pollution effects were successful.

Discussion
All people in the study areas need to be notified that they are at much higher risk for poor health from hazardous air pollution. Due to their location, black people are most impacted by pollution that exceeds air quality standards greatly. After being identified, and notified, they can be one step closer in having some control over the amount of pollution being emitted near their homes. Participation is a part of environmental justice that is fundamental to transforming their well-being. The buffer zone located around the Philip Morris Manufacturing center had significantly higher PM 10 values than the Reynolds Metal Company. This could indicate I-95 as a primary emission source. The distance of 109 meters means that it falls well within the 200m buffer zone. People in this area may have two major emission sources causing pollution. The Relative Risk for black people living near the Reynolds Metal indicated that you would be at higher risk to pollution in that area compared to the risk of living near Philip Morris USA. This is based on population proportions and doesnt indicate the

direct consequence of living in proximity to Reynolds Metals Vs. Philip Morris. The ratio only tells us that if you only had a choice living near the two sites, it is best to live near Philip Morris. Linked natural areas and parks reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A self-reliant city attempts to reduce the impacts of pollution in-situ. (Haughten, 1997).It is possible to retrofit cities with areas. The benefits of having parks in cities beyond the reduction of pollution is that it gives people something to walk to. Instead of driving people may choose to locate services and increase overall health in the process. (Condon, Seven Rules) It could be possible to put bicycle lanes in, easing the effects of pollution. A possible way to alleviate the pollution is by smart planning. By spatially showing where air pollution occurs in high concentration will reveal general areas of occurrences. If we know where the problems are, we can decide best approach of how to reduce the pollution in these areas. Smart planners can take this information and retrofit areas to be green compatible. About thirty percent of the global carbon dioxide comes from the U.S and Canada. About a quarter of this air pollution comes from transportation (Condon, Seven Rules). This makes it extremely important to identify these areas of high concentration of air pollution. Only after identifying the areas, we can begin make the necessary changes to prevent poor health.

APPENDIX

Table 1 Population in four study sites


Total 17 19 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 160 0 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 248 0 16 2 0 4 0 13 0 774 White 1 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 9 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 38 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1281.00 Black 16 16 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 138 0 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 202 0 12 0 0 4 0 13 0 756 61.00 HispanicNa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1175.00 Asian 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1.00 PacificIsl 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.00 TL_2010_65 Block 1007 Block 2020 Block 2048 Block 2049 Block 2050 Block 4013 Block 2046 Block 1004 Block 1005 Block 4005 Block 2045 Block 2024 Block 2016 Block 2027 Block 2026 Block 4009 Block 4012 Block 4010 Block 4011 Block 1012 Block 2047 Block 2019 Block 2023 Block 2025 Block 4007 Block 4008 Block 2018 Block 2017 Block 4006

Table 1.1 National Ambient Air Quality Standards


Primary Standards Pollutant Carbon Monoxide Level 9 ppm (10 mg/m3) 35 ppm (40 mg/m3) Lead 0.15 g/m3 (2) Averaging Time 8-hour (1) None 1-hour (1) Secondary Standards Level Averaging Time

Rolling 3-Month Average Annual (Arithmetic Average) 1-hour (4) 24-hour (5)

Same as Primary

Nitrogen Dioxide

53 ppb (3)

Same as Primary

100 ppb Particulate 150 g/m3 Matter (PM10) Particulate 15.0 g/m3 Matter (PM2.5) 35 g/m3 Ozone 0.075 ppm (2008 std) 0.08 ppm (1997 std) 0.12 ppm Sulfur Dioxide 0.03 ppm

None Same as Primary

Annual (6) (Arithmetic Average) 24-hour (7) 8-hour (8)

Same as Primary

Same as Primary Same as Primary

8-hour (9)

Same as Primary

1-hour (10) Annual (Arithmetic Average)

Same as Primary

0.5 ppm

3-hour (1)

Table 2 High emission sites

PLTNAME Quebecor Printing Richmond Incorporated Reynolds Metals Company Richmond Foil Pl Philip Morris USA Inc - Blended Leaf (BL Philip Morris USA Manufacturing Center

YEAR CO 2002 2002 2002 2002 12.18 17.44 132.12 13.38

NOX 14.50

VOC 695.14

SO2 0.09 7.97 0.06 531.98

PM25 0.32 1.33 3.22 14.40

PM10 NH3 0.32 0.46 1.41 0.73 3.22 405.04 17.56 12.10

TOTEMIS 722.70 1884.05 788.54 1184.96

22.31 1834.19 59.88 188.22 360.58 249.35

Table 3 Relative Risk of Black Vs Other Race within 200m of 4 study sites

Risk

Total Emissions Exceeded Reynolds Metals Philip Morris 202 39 5.17

Black Not Black Population Proportion P^ RR %

16 1 16 2.935779817 293.5779817

Figure 1 Monitoring Aim 1 High Emission Sites

Figure 2 Reynolds Metal Company and Philip Morris USA Proximity to Roads.

Figure 3 Potential Park Area

References

Condon, Patrick M. Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities: Design Strategies for the Post-Carbon World. Island Press, 2010. McDonald, David A. Environmental Justice in South Africa. Athens, Georgia: University of Ohio Press. 2010. Google books. <http://books.google.com/books?id=F1WdPPD15pYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=david+a +mcdonald+what+is+justice&source=bl&ots=SGdOa_2V0&sig=HnEMNlWzeBfKhhmQiQ9aiBesjM&hl=en&ei=LduUTbTvDqmR0QHJqvD6Cw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result &resnum=2&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false> Haughten, Graham. Environmental Justice and the Sustainable City. Journal of Planning and Education and Research. 1997 <http://arroyofilms.com/ftpuser/2nd%20wknd/Haughton.pdf> Richmond Regional Planning District Commission. A Citizens Guide to the Transportation Improvement Program. July 2004. <http://www.richmondregional.org/Publications/Reports_and_Documents/TIP/TIP_Citize ns_Guide_FY05.pdf> Brugge et al. Near-highway pollutants in motor vehicle exhaust: A review of epidemiologic evidence of cardiac and pulmonary health risks. Environmental Health 2007, 6:23 doi:10.1186/1476-069X-6-23 http://www.ehjournal.net/content/pdf/1476069X-6-23.pdf U.S. EPA. Environmental Justice Program and Civil Rights. EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency. April 22, 2011. < http://www.epa.gov/ne/ej/>

U.S. EPA PM. Particulate Matter. EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency. March 16, 2011. <http://www.epa.gov/pm/> NAAQS EPA, National Ambient Air quality Standards. United States Environmental Protection Agency. April 18, 2011. <http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.html>

Baccarelli, A, et al. "Living near major traffic roads and risk of deep vein thrombosis." Circulation 119.24 (2009):3118

Data sources Virginia DEQ air monitoring


(http://www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality/homepage.html)

2000 Census Information


(http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cob/bdy_files.html).

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen