What current policies can help mitigate environmental racism in Chicago's neighborhoods?

Abstract

Communities of color often have exposure to the biggest challenges of inequality that have a substantial impact on their overall health due to environmental racism. Environmental Racism is about the policies and practices that impact communities of color where they live near hazardous environments and facilities across their district or neighborhood. Poverty can be a trait to environmental racism, but also due to the community's race rather than just their income have a higher likelihood of living under these conditions. Issues that have a negative impact towards their physical health are underlying diseases, exposure to hazardous waste, housing and water safety. Many of these challenges can lead to homelessness, discrimination, and health insurance problems. This research addresses these inequitable challenges that occur in the Latino community and provides recommendations of past and present legislation that has been passed by congress or other legislators. Providing legislation that was passed after these hazardous conditions came to exist and were addressed can help mitigate the risk of communities having to live under these types of areas and be protected from polluters. Examples include the clean water act legislation that was passed in the United States Congress and Sanitation Reform in the 1860’s and the fair housing act.