Diversity and Intersectionality among Environmentally Burdened Communities in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area, USA

Abstract

This study builds upon earlier work to investigate diversity and intersectionality among 39 extensively burdened communities. Thirteen different types of hazardous facilities were mapped onto census maps for the nine-county Philadelphia MSA. Using 2000 census data, each of 366 communities was classified as to its racial/ethnic composition, its social class status and its location (bordering the Delaware River, on a rail line, in urban, inner-ring, or outer-ring suburban communities). Risk for extensive burdening and mean number of hazards was calculated for each community type. Location in the city and in industrialised areas near the Delaware River appears to intersect with disadvantage and with racial/ethnic status to boost risk for burdening, while substantially White racial composition, affluence and location near rail lines and in the outer suburbs decrease risk and the number of hazardous facilities. However, more diversity was found among burdened communities than previous research would indicate.