| This report compares chemicals (diethylhexylpthalate, chromium, formaldehyde, lead, and tetrachloroethylene) and chemical groups (carcinogens, "more hazardous chemicals" organochlorines persistent bio-accumulative toxics, and reproductive toxics) used and released to the environment communities in Massachusetts between 1990 and 2002. The research used data from obtained companies in Massachusetts reporting under the Toxic Use Reduction Act (TURA) to compare the average amounts of 5 chemicals and 5 groups of chemical used and released to the environment in low income/high minority communities to the average in medium to high income/medium to low minority communities. The research also used GIS mapping, for a greater refinement, to compare chemicals used and released in environmental justice neighborhoods, versus all other neighborhoods in Massachusetts in 2002.;Findings of the comparison demonstrate great decline in toxics used and released in low income/high minority communities between 1990 and 2002. However, the data also demonstrate that, despite a narrowing of the toxics gap, in 2002, low income communities still had a disproportionate share of reproductive toxics, organochlorines, persistent bioaccumulative toxics and "More Hazardous" chemicals released to the environment in their communities. In 2002 cities and towns classified as high minority (25% or greater minority) exhibited the highest average reproductive toxics and "more hazardous" chemicals" released to the environment. Based on the findings recommendation for changes to the existing TURA program, alternative chemicals policy and environmental justice policy are presented. |
