Double disproportionality in industrial siting in Canada

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Environmental Justice
• Industrial Ecology

Background:

• A small number of industrial facilities often account for a large proportion of air pollutant emissions.
• Understanding the spatial distribution of industrial pollution and its proximity to vulnerable populations is crucial for environmental justice research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify Canadian industrial subsectors with concentrated particulate matter (PM2.5) and precursor emissions.
• To investigate whether these high-emitting facilities are disproportionately located near structurally marginalized socio-demographic groups.
• To assess the existence of 'double disproportionalities' in environmental exposures.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of industrial subsectors in Canada based on PM2.5 and precursor emissions.
• Siting analysis of facilities relative to socio-demographic groups in urban and rural settings.
• Examination of facility clustering and proximity to marginalized populations.

Main Results:

• Significant emission disproportionalities were found across pollutants and industrial subsectors.
• Disproportionate facility siting patterns varied between urban and rural areas.
• Urban Oil and Gas Extraction disproportionately affected marginalized groups, while rural mining and quarrying had similar impacts. Urban Indigenous populations were particularly affected.
• Proximity to multiple industrial facilities was higher for low-income and Black populations.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms the existence of 'double disproportionalities' for certain industrial sectors, where high emissions coincide with proximity to marginalized communities.
• Findings underscore the need for further research into cumulative environmental hazards and targeted policies to address environmental inequities.