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The prevalence of environmental hazards in a particular region can help us better understand the disease risk for those in that community. These “unplanned” experiments, whereby different regions of the country are exposed to varying hazards, provide helpful insight into environmental health disparities across the United States and other parts of the world (Celentano & Szklo, 2018).

In Kansas City, where I reside, a cross-sectional study has brought to light the urgent issue of environmental injustices in neighborhoods of color and lower socio-economic status. Specifically, it revealed a disproportionate number of pediatric patients developing asthma, highlighting the pressing need for action (Friedman et al., 2024).

All major cities struggle with pollution. In a year-long study, people living near the railyard in Southeast Kansas City were exposed to higher levels of delicate particulate matter, black carbon, and trace metals (Duvall et al., 2024). This increased pollutant exposure puts residents at increased risk for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Another notable older study identified sediment contamination in streams near residents’ homes (Tao et al., 2010; 2010). These contaminants are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and pesticide-related compounds. The study concluded that stormwater runoff is a primary transportation mode into the streams. Casual pathways could include urbanization, pesticide use, and sediment contamination levels.

According to the authors of High and Rising Mortality Rates Among Working-Age Adults (Harris et al., 2021), the impact of air pollution on health is profound. It is a significant contributor to the rising mortality rates among working-age adults, leading to respiratory illnesses, diseases such as lung cancer, and even neurological diseases. Water pollution could lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction, and pesticide runoff could impact reproductive health in women of childbearing age. The hazards in Kansas City could lead to a compromised immune system, hormonal disruption, dermatological conditions, and more, underscoring the need for immediate intervention.

References

Celentano, D. D., & Szklo, M. (2018). Gordis epidemiology e-book (6th ed.). Elsevier.

Duvall, R. M., Kimbrough, E. S., Krabbe, S., Deshmukh, P., Baldauf, R. W., Brouwer, L. H., McArthur, T., Croghan, C., Varga, J., Brown, M., & Davis, M. (2024). Analysis of pm 2.5 , black carbon, and trace metals measurements from the Kansas City transportation and local-scale air quality study (kc-tracks). Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 74(8), 581â€“594. https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2024.2365708Links to an external site.

Friedman, E., Lee, B. R., Rahn, D., Lugo Martinez, B., & Mena, A. (2024). Assessing environmental injustice in Kansas City by linking pediatric asthma to local sources of pollution: A cross-sectional study. BMJ Open, 14(7), e080915. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080915Links to an external site.

Harris, K., Majmundar, M., & Becker, T. (Eds.). (2021). High and rising mortality rates among working-age adults. National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25976Links to an external site.

Tao, J., Huggins, D., Welker, G., Dias, J. R., Ingersoll, C. G., & Murowchick, J. B. (2010). Sediment contamination of residential streams in the metropolitan Kansas city area, USA: Part i. distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and pesticide-related compounds. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 59(3), 352â€“369. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-010-9497-2Links to an external site.

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