Samantha Malcolm
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Raquel Garcia
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision / NonUM
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 7 (4:40pm – 5:30pm)
Authors:
Abstract
The predominantly-nonwhite region of Southwest Detroit faces disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards and health concerns due to the large prevalence of heavy industry, energy production, and port and intermodal freight activity. Mobile sources of particulate matter, largely associated with commercial, industrial, and transportation operations, significantly contribute to air pollution in the region, resulting in numerous adverse health effects including heart attacks, aggravated asthma, cancer, and premature death. Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, a nonprofit organization serving Southwest Detroit and South Dearborn, partners closely with the community to mitigate pollution and promote initiatives and legislation that work to safeguard the environment and public health. Its work is aimed at environmentally-conscious economic development to achieve sustained community vitality with an emphasis on environmental justice, defined by the EPA as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.†To better understand the impacted population and craft nuanced, data-informed policy proposals and community reports, research was conducted with the organization on community demographics in Southwest Detroit and South Dearborn zip codes, including health and illness information and health care access using ArcGIS mapping software. Data on Internet/computer access, as well as varieties of languages spoken, were also gathered to put together a detailed community portrait. Interactive data visualization maps were created to increase the accessibility of the information. The findings were incorporated into a narrative for an EPA grant application and a community flier to help educate and guide community members and organizations to enact effective change to achieve environmental justice.
