1. Environmental Risks in the Southern Central Valley, California A presentation for: Californians for Environmental Justice By: Dan Williams

2. The Study Area

3. South Central Valley: Overview Total Population: 2,292,197 Total Population: 2,292,197 6 Counties: 6 Counties: –Kern –Fresno –Tulare –Kings –Merced –Madera

4. South Central Valley: Identifying At-Risk Communities Goal - Identify risks based on: Goal - Identify risks based on: –Ethnic/Racial Background –Age Group –Geographic Residence Methodology – Examine relationship between Census Data and 3 Pollution Types: Methodology – Examine relationship between Census Data and 3 Pollution Types: –Ambient Air Quality –Point Source Air Polluters –Ground Water Aquifer Contamination

5. South Central Valley: Ambient Air Quality Created weighted air pollution index for each county based on number of Orange, Red and Purple days. Created weighted air pollution index for each county based on number of Orange, Red and Purple days. Ranked counties from best (Madera) to worst (Kern). Ranked counties from best (Madera) to worst (Kern). Identified at-risk age and ethnic/racial groups based on demographic distribution between counties. Identified at-risk age and ethnic/racial groups based on demographic distribution between counties.

6. South Central Valley: Ambient Air Quality

7. South Central Valley: Demographic Characteristics

8. South Central Valley: Ambient Air Quality--Conclusions No significant relationship between county demographics and air pollution rankings No significant relationship between county demographics and air pollution rankings Residents do not choose their home location based mainly on the county, but rather the specific neighborhood or area. Residents do not choose their home location based mainly on the county, but rather the specific neighborhood or area. County-level comparisons are insufficient, as air level qualities are certain to differ throughout the county. County-level comparisons are insufficient, as air level qualities are certain to differ throughout the county. Need to compare smaller units of analysis, such as Census blocks. Need to compare smaller units of analysis, such as Census blocks.

9. South Central Valley: Air Pollution Sources and Age/Ethnic Distribution-- Study Methodology Data:Census 2000 demographics by Blocks Data:Census 2000 demographics by Blocks Impact area: a 25 km buffer around major air polluters, defined by the EPA. Impact area: a 25 km buffer around major air polluters, defined by the EPA. Identified at-risk age and ethnic/racial groups based on demographic distribution in relation to impact area. Identified at-risk age and ethnic/racial groups based on demographic distribution in relation to impact area.

10. South Central Valley: Air Pollution Sources and Ethnic Distribution

11. Point Source Emitters: Racial/Ethnic Groups at Risk 75.3% of population (1,726,024) lives within 25 km of a major air pollution point source. 75.3% of population (1,726,024) lives within 25 km of a major air pollution point source. The percentage of Asians and Blacks living within the impact area is higher than other ethnic and racial groups in the impact area. The percentage of Asians and Blacks living within the impact area is higher than other ethnic and racial groups in the impact area.

12. Point Source Emitters: Age Groups at Risk The age distribution within the impact area shows that the largest single proportion of residents are in the youngest age category (ages 0-17)—among the age groups most likely to be affected by poor air quality. The age distribution within the impact area shows that the largest single proportion of residents are in the youngest age category (ages 0-17)—among the age groups most likely to be affected by poor air quality.

13. South Central Valley: Air Pollution Sources and Ethnic Distribution In general, the proportions of Asians and Blacks within the impact area are higher than outside. In general, the proportions of Asians and Blacks within the impact area are higher than outside. The proportion of Whites, however, is higher outside the impact area than inside. The proportion of Whites, however, is higher outside the impact area than inside.

14. A very high percentage (75.3%) of all residents live within 25 kilometers of a major air pollution source. A very high percentage (75.3%) of all residents live within 25 kilometers of a major air pollution source. Asians, Blacks, and children are slightly more likely than other groups to live within these areas near sources of air pollution. Asians, Blacks, and children are slightly more likely than other groups to live within these areas near sources of air pollution. South Central Valley: Air Pollution Sources and Age/Ethnic Distribution--Conclusions

15. Data:Census 2000 demographics by Blocks Data:Census 2000 demographics by Blocks Defined impact area: a 10 km buffer around polluted wells, according to the EPA. Defined impact area: a 10 km buffer around polluted wells, according to the EPA. Identified at-risk age and ethnic/racial groups based on demographic distribution in relation to impact area. Identified at-risk age and ethnic/racial groups based on demographic distribution in relation to impact area. South Central Valley: Well Water Pollution and Age/Ethnic Distribution– Study Methodology

16. Polluted Well Water: Ethnic/Racial Groups at Risk 91.4% of population (2,095,348) lives within 10 km of a polluted water well. 91.4% of population (2,095,348) lives within 10 km of a polluted water well. Asians and Blacks have a higher percentage living in these areas. Asians and Blacks have a higher percentage living in these areas.

17. South Central Valley: Polluted Well Water and Ethnic Distribution

18. Polluted Well Water: Age Groups at Risk The largest age group of residents within the impact area is also children— 679,020 persons aged 0-17 live within 10 km of a polluted well. The largest age group of residents within the impact area is also children— 679,020 persons aged 0-17 live within 10 km of a polluted well.

19. South Central Valley: Well Water Pollution and Ethnic Distribution In general, the proportion of Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, and ‘Other’ within the impact area is higher than outside. In general, the proportion of Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, and ‘Other’ within the impact area is higher than outside. However, the proportion of Whites are higher outside the impact area than inside. However, the proportion of Whites are higher outside the impact area than inside.

20. Combined air pollution impact areas with well water pollution impact areas Combined air pollution impact areas with well water pollution impact areas Selected only Census blocks in both impact areas, in order to identify regions most affected by pollution Selected only Census blocks in both impact areas, in order to identify regions most affected by pollution South Central Valley: Identification of Highest Risk Block Groups– Methodology

21. South Central Valley: Highest Risk Block Groups

22. South Central Valley Pollution Study: Final Conclusions Urban centers are most impacted by air and water pollution Urban centers are most impacted by air and water pollution Asians and Blacks are slightly over- represented as residents in polluted areas Asians and Blacks are slightly over- represented as residents in polluted areas Among age cohorts, children are over- represented in areas impacted by pollution Among age cohorts, children are over- represented in areas impacted by pollution Overall, Hispanics consist of 43.5% of those residents in the highest risk block groups. Overall, Hispanics consist of 43.5% of those residents in the highest risk block groups. 1,665,969 S. Central Valley residents (72.7%) live in the highest risk block groups 1,665,969 S. Central Valley residents (72.7%) live in the highest risk block groups