The Pros And Cons Of Toxic Waste

This makes me qualified to do this research paper. Additionally, I am able to contact experts on the issue who can offer their opinion and knowledge on the issue. The sources used in this paper will be from Academic Search Premier. Academic Search Premier has a plethora of resources I can use for my empirical paper. The sources (articles) I will use will be peer reviewed and they will from the year 2007 and onward. I will try to steer clear of articles that are older than this because the data may not reflect the current situation. Therefore, the data will be more recent. The first source I will be using is a peer review article by Hines. The article talks specifically about the statics in Emelle Alabama and the detrimental effects of hazardous waste dumping in the county. The second article will be by Hurley who looks at the environmental racism history of America and how that affects minorities now. The third article is by Mcdoll who gives the background on how minorities are mistreated and treated unfairly when it comes to choosing where noxious waste facilities

In the book, Sacrifice Zones, Steve Lerner takes readers through twelve separate stories of communities in the United States that have been unwillingly exposed to high levels of environmental toxicity. In each of these cases, citizens of those communities reacted to and pushed back against being exposed to toxic chemicals, sometimes successfully and sometimes less so. In every case, the people most heavily exposed to these health hazards were minorities and low-income citizens, which, Lerner argues, is why government officials and corporate decision-makers chose knowingly to risk exposing them. This paper will outline Lerner’s book and argue that despite a long history of protests, lawsuits, media attention and nationwide outrage, willing exposure of low-income and minority Americans to toxic chemicals in the pursuit of government and corporate interests is still a major problem today.

When thinking about the most polluted states in our country, California and New York instantly pop into our mind. What most people don't know, however, is that Texas now ranks number one in most categories of pollution. Whether it be increased emissions from refineries in Beaumont, large pits filled with contamination at Kelley Air Force Base, or polluted water at Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas has more than its fair share of toxic waste.

Where toxic waste is disposed of is one of the reasons why racism and classism leads to environmental factors. As referred in an article called ”Emelle, Alabama:

This discussion for this week’s forum post provided room for great discussions and arguments on if these decisions are solely economic or prejudice. While you argue it is economic, I argue prejudice exists in these decision making processes. Although, I can see and understand your point of view. It hits closer to home for me. It appears too coincident that there is 55+ hazardous waste sites in the Metro-Atlanta area when the average number of waste sites in a Georgia county is three (GreenLaw, 2011). The majority of the Metro-Atlanta area has 90%, or more, non-white population. Studies also show that there is a disproportionate availability of fundamental resources in minority and low-income communities (GreenLaw, 2011). In addition, on my way to work, in the Metro-Atlanta area, I see hazardous waste sites, landfills, scrap yards, and train tracks all

Environmental racism is the “targeting of minorities and low-income communities to bear a disproportionate share of environmental costs. It refers to any policy or practice that differently affects or disadvantages individuals, groups or communities based on race or skin color” (Schill & Austin 1991). Pollution is disproportionately distributed across the country; it is also distributed unequally within individual states, within counties, and within cities (Schill & Austin 1991). Hazardous waste sites, municipal landfills, incinerators, and other hazardous facilities are disproportionately located in poor and minority neighborhoods (White-Newsome 2016). Each year, America produces 275 million metric tons of hazardous waste. Environmental regulations only regulate 40 million tons of the waste leaving the rest to be sent to landfills and waste sites (White-Newsome 2016). According to research done by The Commission for Racial Justice of the United Church of Christ, Zip code areas containing at least one hazardous waste site had, on average, 24% people of color, compared to 12% in areas without a hazardous waste site. Additionally, “zip code areas containing either two or more facilities or one of the five largest hazardous waste landfills in the nation had, on average, 38% people of color “(White-Newsome 2016). One of the largest dumping grounds is located in Emelle, Sumter County, Alabama. Sumter County houses the nation’s largest hazardous landfill facility. The landfill

Actions are Unethical - Definition of ethical behaviour is broader than just its legality. Organizations have a broader responsibility to its stakeholders which include the surrounding communities and the environment. Government agencies are influenced by industry and do not always prioritize the interests of the public. How can any waste dumping be safe?

This case highlights the likelihood of friendly relations between industry and government. It was recorded that Ford Motor Company dumped paint waste from 1967-1971. I find it hard to believe that not a single government official considered looking into where all of the company’s waste was being disposed of within that four-year period. It also took the federal government until the 1980s to list this area of Ringwood, New Jersey as one of the most toxic superfund sites. While I do understand that historically the United States has had strong ties between industry and government I find it appalling that both federal and state governments failed to advocate for the Ramapoughs.

Considering that most waste is produced by prosperous communities, it is evident that upper-class groups would rather put their trash in someone else’s living space, otherwise known as the NIMBY (not in my backyard) approach (Wright 495, 533). Critics may argue that this is not the case, because their is no substantial proof that governments have authorized the construction of hazardous waste sites specifically based on racial or economic demographics. However, in 1987, the Commission for Racial Justice of the United Church of Christ published an extensive study on environmental racism, discovering that three out of five of the largest commercial toxic waste landfills in the U.S. are located in primarily African American and Hispanic communities, with 40 percent of all hazardous waste disposal running through these factories. Also, around 60 percent of African Americans and Hispanics and almost half of all Asians, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders live in areas with uncontrolled toxic waste sites (Cunningham, Cunningham, and Saigo 462). This evidence concludes that race is one of the most significant factors in determining where specific hazardous waste sites and facilities will be constructed. The government must work to prevent this unfair displacement of trash to preserve fairness for all

“In the United States, people of color comprise the majority (56 percent) in neighborhoods within two miles of the nation’s commercial hazardous waste facilities, nearly double the percentage in areas beyond two miles(30percent).People of color comprise a much higher proportion (69 percent) of

In the United States, sources of pollution such as toxic waste dumps, incinerators, manufacturing plants, and other facilities are typically located in lower income neighborhoods—often African American and Latino—because poorer communities do not have the political and legal clout that wealthy communities do. People might argue that by placing environmental hazards in poor communities, it gives them an opportunity for employment where otherwise they can try to look for employment elsewhere but not get hire for the same reason they are building polluting machines and hazardous buildings in their neighborhood. Yes, it is an opportunity for employment but at what cost, by putting them in danger. This can easily be alleviated by evenly distributing the pollutants around the city, state, or country not targeting only a certain population but all populations. Another ethical option to help with the issue is increasing environmental standards for consumers by revising laws on pollutants that are permissible and not permissible. Of course, there are pollutants that we as a society need in order to keep up with today’s waste and population but limiting the unnecessary ones that only benefit a very small portion of the population will make even a small difference. We have to keep in mind that by addressing the issue of

     Another driving force behind the improper disposal of hazardous waste was the Mafia. “Organized crime controlled the solid waste disposal industry through the major trade associations, the relevant Teamster locals, and the connivance of political cronies”(Block, 1985, p.102). The Mafia has the ability to buy public officials with ease. This and their scare tactics led many EPA officials to do nothing about the illegal activities that took place. “Imagine an EPA inspector or state regulatory agent trying to deal with firms controlled by the members of the most powerful crime syndicates in the country”(Block, 1985, p.103).

Waste Management, Inc., incorporated in 1968, had become a leader in the industry of waste management services ranging from industrial operations to curbside collection. This company had become synonymous with many different kinds of disposal services that allowed for the company to grow and grow with a solid base over the course of twenty-eight years. Finally in 1996, the company reported total assets of almost $20 billion with net income close to $200 million. However, even with this growth and solid base, the company was feeling competitive pressures and net income was on the decline.

Another concern is directed toward animal rights. The mishandling of waste can cause animals to get sick and spreading of diseases. Animals do not know wrong from right, so it is up to the humans to handle the waste disposal the right way so we can live in this earth happy and healthy.

American citizens throw away millions of tons of garbage each year, and this trash has to go somewhere. While there are projects underway to clean and reuse this refuse most of it gets dumped into huge landfills. These landfills are disgusting festering blisters on our country's landscape. But people continue to consume and throw away more and more in the name of convenience. As they see it, when things get old, throw it away and get a new one. They blame the government for the trash problem, but the truth blame should be placed on themselves.