Proximity to extremely hazardous substances for people with disabilities: A case study in Houston, Texas

While numerous studies have found socially disadvantaged groups such as minorities and low-income individuals to be disproportionately distributed with respect to various health hazards and pollution sources, previous research has not examined if people with disabilities reside near facilities where accidental releases of extremely hazardous substances are likely to occur.

Using data from the 2011-2015 American Community Survey estimates and facilities submitting Risk Management Plans (RMPs) to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the distribution of proximity to RMP facilities is compared to the disability characteristics of the civilian noninstitutionalized population in Harris County, Texas. The goal is to determine whether neighborhoods containing a higher proportion of disabled individuals are located near RMP facilities, after controlling for relevant socio-demographic factors.

Proximity to RMP facilities is calculated at the census tract level using a spatial enumeration methodology developed by the EPA. Statistical analyses are based on descriptive comparisons, bivariate correlations, and multivariate generalized estimating equations--a modeling technique appropriate for clustered data.

RMP facility proximity increases significantly as the percentage of overall disability, as well as the percentages for specific types of disability increase, after accounting for population density, racial/ethnic composition, and socioeconomic status of neighborhoods. Disabled individuals with hearing and cognitive difficulties are particularly more likely to reside near RMP facilities.

These findings emphasize the growing need to consider individuals with physical and mental disabilities in future research on environmental justice and health risk disparities, as well as evacuation planning for chemical accidents.