THE HEALTH IMPACT OF HAZARDOUS-WASTE SITES ON MINORITY COMMUNITIES - IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC-HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL-HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Recently increased concern has focused on the adverse health effects of hazardous substances emanating from abandoned waste sites. The public health and environmental health literature, however, have largely ignored the selective health risks of minority American communities located in neighborhoods where exposures to hazardous substances from these sites are more likely to occur, and which already experience lower health status due to socioeconomic status and other factors. It is proposed that public health and environmental health professionals actively participate in activities contributing to policy formation that identify, assess, control and prevent community hazardous waste problems that may disproportionately impact minority groups.