Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
08:13
Using the Race Model Inequality to Quantify Behavioral Multisensory Integration Effects
Published on: May 10, 2019
Environmental Racial Inequality in Detroit
1University of Colorado.
Social Forces; a Scientific Medium of Social Study and Interpretation
|August 30, 2011
Summary
In Detroit, 2000, Black neighborhoods faced greater industrial pollution burdens. Neighborhood racial composition independently impacted proximity to toxic release facilities, indicating environmental racial inequality.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Justice
- Urban Studies
- Public Health
Background:
- Environmental inequality research often lacks clear methodologies for assessing hazard proximity.
- Previous studies may not accurately capture the nuanced relationship between distance and environmental risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if environmental racial inequality existed in the Detroit metropolitan area in 2000.
- To introduce and apply a novel distance decay modeling technique for hazard proximity.
- To assess the independent effect of neighborhood racial composition on environmental risk.
Main Methods:
- Utilized industrial pollution data from the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).
- Employed tract-level demographic data from the 2000 U.S. census.
- Applied a distance decay modeling technique to estimate hazard proximity, weighting risks by distance.
Main Results:
- Detroit's Black neighborhoods were disproportionately burdened by TRI facility activity in 2000.
- Neighborhood racial composition demonstrated a strong, independent effect on proximity to TRI activity.
- The distance decay model provided more accurate proximity-based environmental risk estimates.
Conclusions:
- Significant environmental racial inequality existed in Detroit in 2000.
- The distance decay modeling technique is a valuable tool for environmental justice research.
- Racial composition is a key determinant of exposure to industrial pollution.
Related Concept Videos
02:55Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Humans are very diverse and although we share many similarities, we also have many differences. The social groups we belong to help form our identities (Tajfel, 1974). These differences may be difficult for some people to reconcile, which may lead to prejudice toward people who are different. Prejudice is a negative attitude and feeling toward an individual based solely on one’s membership in a particular social group (Allport, 1954; Brown, 2010). Prejudice is common against people who are...
01:21Dimensions of Health and Illness
The factors influencing the health-illness continuum can be internal or external and may or may not be under conscious control. They are related to the following eight human dimensions, and each dimension is interrelated to one other.
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
01:29Environmental Influences on Intelligence
Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
02:16Stereotype Content Model
The Stereotype Content Model (SCM) was first proposed by Susan Fiske and her colleagues (Fiske, Cuddy, Glick & Xu, 2002; see also Fiske, 2012 and Fiske, 2017). The SCM specifies that when someone encounters a new group, they will stereotype them based on two metrics: warmth—or that group’s perceived intent, and how likely they are to provide help or inflict harm—and competence—or their ability to carry out that objective. Depending on the warmth-competence categorization, a person will feel...
01:20Gene-Environment Interactions
Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...