The Poor Don’t Deserve Toxic-Waste Dumps in Their Backyards
They’re much more likely than other Americans to be exposed to hazardous materials.
Short on curbside appeal.
Source: Universal Images Group/Getty ImagesThe American left has a lot on its plate — universal health care, climate change, stagnant wages, wealth inequality and more. But there’s one more issue that needs to be added to the list: environmental justice. Poor Americans, especially minorities, are exposed to too many toxins and environmental hazards, destroying their health and harming their opportunities for advancement.
One of the worst hazards is lead. There is now good evidence that banning unleaded gasoline contributed to significant drops in crime and improvement in cognitive performance. But lead pipes and paint still are prevalent in aging urban housing, posing a serious threat to kids — who happen to be particularly vulnerable to its ill-effects. Even small amounts of lead can impair mental performance, and cause other health problems.