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Examining urban brownfields through the public health "macroscope"
Jill S Litt1, Nga L Tran, Thomas A Burke
1Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Environmental Health Perspectives
|April 4, 2002
Summary
Industrial brownfields pose significant environmental health risks, impacting urban communities. Redevelopment efforts must integrate public health to ensure successful revitalization and long-term well-being.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Urban Planning
- Public Health
Background:
- Industrial cities face challenges from blight and environmental degradation.
- Vacant industrial land (brownfields) redevelopment is crucial for urban revitalization.
- Current efforts may overlook environmental health risks and community needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize industrial properties in Southeast Baltimore.
- To assess the health and well-being of nearby communities.
- To investigate the relationship between brownfields and community health disparities.
Main Methods:
- Developed a screening algorithm to score and rank 182 properties.
- Analyzed historical data for hazardous operations and substances.
- Conducted health analysis of Southeast Baltimore communities.
Main Results:
- Identified a range of hazardous operations and persistent toxicants (heavy metals, solvents, PAHs).
- Revealed health disparities, including excess deaths from respiratory and other cancers.
- Found a spatial link between degraded brownfields and at-risk communities.
Conclusions:
- Brownfields sites are not benign and pose environmental health risks.
- Brownfields redevelopment is vital for environmental justice and health equity.
- Integrating public health into brownfields decisions promotes successful redevelopment and health benefits.