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Map of Cancer-Causing Industrial Air Pollution in the U.S.

Provided by: ProPublica |Published on: April 27, 2021

Graphs/Tables Grades 6-8, 9-12, ap-college

Synopsis

This interactive map from ProPublica highlights areas in the contiguous United States where levels of air pollution associated with cancer risk are greater than the levels that the EPA deems acceptable.
Students will learn that the EPA does not take into account the cumulative risk of cancer for individuals living in close proximity to multiple factories and refineries.
Three linked articles (Our Story, Our Methodology, and What This Means for You) provide an enormous amount of information about how ProPublica created the map and the implications for at-risk communities.

Subjects: Geography, Health

Authors: ProPublica

Region: United States

Languages: English, Spanish

Positives

The map highlights "hot spots" around the country but also allows students to search for their own addresses.
Clicking on the hot spots generates a pop-out with detailed information about the risk of cancer in the area and the contributing factors for the increased risk.

Prerequisites

Students should be familiar with the role of the EPA.
The resource is available in Spanish.
Teachers should be sensitive to the fact that some students or their families may have been directly affected by pollution-induced health problems.

Differentiation & Implementation

Civics and government classes can review the history of the Clean Air Act and learn more about how it is enforced.
Social studies and history classes can read the linked article titled "Our Story" to learn about why BIPOC communities (especially Black communities) are disproportionately located near factories that cause air pollution. Students could also read "What This Means for You" to find out what communities can do to advocate for themselves.
Science classes can do this activity using air sensors to test the air quality in the community.
Other resources on this topic include this Vox video that explains why proximity to air pollution makes the effects of COVID-19 more dangerous for Black people, this SubjectToClimate lesson plan on Cancer Alley, and this article about environmental racism in the Bronx.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.