Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does environmental justice primarily aim to ensure?
What does environmental justice primarily aim to ensure?
- Equal access to environmental decision-making processes (correct)
- Restriction of environmental laws to specific groups
- Mandatory relocation of affected communities
- Uniform environmental hazards across communities
How does environmental injustice manifest in society?
How does environmental injustice manifest in society?
- Certain groups experience greater environmental risks (correct)
- All groups receive equal environmental protection
- Environmental resources are evenly distributed
- Only affluent communities face environmental challenges
What misconception is often associated with environmental justice?
What misconception is often associated with environmental justice?
- Environmental issues are solely economic concerns
- Experiences of marginalized groups are prioritized
- Equity and equality are interchangeable concepts (correct)
- Environmental justice affects only low-income communities
What event highlights the struggle for environmental justice in the U.S.?
What event highlights the struggle for environmental justice in the U.S.?
What is a common consequence of environmental injustice?
What is a common consequence of environmental injustice?
What was a direct consequence of the shooting incident mentioned?
What was a direct consequence of the shooting incident mentioned?
What toxic substance was improperly disposed of by Robert Burns' trucking company?
What toxic substance was improperly disposed of by Robert Burns' trucking company?
What act was violated by the improper disposal of the transformer fluid?
What act was violated by the improper disposal of the transformer fluid?
What was the primary issue of Environmental Racism highlighted in the content?
What was the primary issue of Environmental Racism highlighted in the content?
What happened to the dumped contaminated soil in Warren County?
What happened to the dumped contaminated soil in Warren County?
Which federal action was signed in 1994 to address environmental justice?
Which federal action was signed in 1994 to address environmental justice?
Which organization was created to empower communities in the southwest?
Which organization was created to empower communities in the southwest?
What type of waste was associated with the environmental implications discussed?
What type of waste was associated with the environmental implications discussed?
What is a long-term effect of exposure to ultraviolet light?
What is a long-term effect of exposure to ultraviolet light?
Which occupation is most likely to experience high exposure to radiation?
Which occupation is most likely to experience high exposure to radiation?
What is a major advantage of nuclear energy?
What is a major advantage of nuclear energy?
For how long can nuclear waste remain radioactive?
For how long can nuclear waste remain radioactive?
What is the purpose of a dry cask in the management of nuclear waste?
What is the purpose of a dry cask in the management of nuclear waste?
Which of these is a disadvantage of solar energy?
Which of these is a disadvantage of solar energy?
What principle does geothermal energy rely on?
What principle does geothermal energy rely on?
What is one of the main disadvantages of wind power?
What is one of the main disadvantages of wind power?
What technology do photovoltaic cells utilize to generate electricity?
What technology do photovoltaic cells utilize to generate electricity?
What does the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) aim to ensure?
What does the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) aim to ensure?
Which energy source is associated with the emission of greenhouse gases?
Which energy source is associated with the emission of greenhouse gases?
What effect does exposure to radon have on workers?
What effect does exposure to radon have on workers?
Which method is utilized in concentrated solar power (CSP) systems?
Which method is utilized in concentrated solar power (CSP) systems?
What is coal primarily used for today?
What is coal primarily used for today?
Which mining method involves blasting away entire mountaintops?
Which mining method involves blasting away entire mountaintops?
What is one of the negative environmental effects of subsurface mining?
What is one of the negative environmental effects of subsurface mining?
Which of the following is a human-made source of ionizing radiation?
Which of the following is a human-made source of ionizing radiation?
What is hydraulic fracturing primarily used for?
What is hydraulic fracturing primarily used for?
Which health effect is specifically associated with exposure to coal dust?
Which health effect is specifically associated with exposure to coal dust?
What type of radiation can knock electrons out of atoms?
What type of radiation can knock electrons out of atoms?
What do Sieverts (Sv) measure?
What do Sieverts (Sv) measure?
What effect does fly ash, produced from burning coal, have on the environment?
What effect does fly ash, produced from burning coal, have on the environment?
Which term describes the natural breakdown of uranium that produces radon gas?
Which term describes the natural breakdown of uranium that produces radon gas?
What is a notable occupational health risk for workers at coal power plants?
What is a notable occupational health risk for workers at coal power plants?
Which type of radiation has enough energy to damage tissue and DNA?
Which type of radiation has enough energy to damage tissue and DNA?
What is one common environmental impact of fracking?
What is one common environmental impact of fracking?
What are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons commonly found in?
What are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons commonly found in?
What is the primary mission of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
What is the primary mission of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
What central theme does the EPA emphasize in its mission?
What central theme does the EPA emphasize in its mission?
Which act requires federal agencies to consider the environment before major actions?
Which act requires federal agencies to consider the environment before major actions?
What does the Clean Air Act primarily regulate?
What does the Clean Air Act primarily regulate?
What is established by the Safe Drinking Water Act?
What is established by the Safe Drinking Water Act?
What does the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) provide funds for?
What does the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) provide funds for?
What does the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) control?
What does the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) control?
Which act is specifically aimed at conserving endangered species and their habitats?
Which act is specifically aimed at conserving endangered species and their habitats?
The Maryland Senate Bill aims to phase out what type of ammunition for hunting?
The Maryland Senate Bill aims to phase out what type of ammunition for hunting?
What health effects are associated with lead toxicity?
What health effects are associated with lead toxicity?
What is the primary source of methylmercury exposure for humans?
What is the primary source of methylmercury exposure for humans?
What type of pollutants does the Clean Water Act focus on regulating?
What type of pollutants does the Clean Water Act focus on regulating?
What are potential exposure routes for toxic metals?
What are potential exposure routes for toxic metals?
What is a characteristic of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)?
What is a characteristic of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)?
What is the primary purpose of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)?
What is the primary purpose of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)?
What is the correct order of the waste management hierarchy?
What is the correct order of the waste management hierarchy?
What is the main function of a leachate sump in a sanitary landfill?
What is the main function of a leachate sump in a sanitary landfill?
What is the primary focus of occupational health?
What is the primary focus of occupational health?
Which of the following is NOT a stage of sewage treatment?
Which of the following is NOT a stage of sewage treatment?
Which event led to the creation of CERCLA and the Superfund program?
Which event led to the creation of CERCLA and the Superfund program?
Who is known as the father of occupational medicine?
Who is known as the father of occupational medicine?
What does the 'polluter pays principle' entail?
What does the 'polluter pays principle' entail?
Which of the following is a common occupational disease caused by exposure to loud noise?
Which of the following is a common occupational disease caused by exposure to loud noise?
What is the recommended exposure limit (REL) defined by NIOSH?
What is the recommended exposure limit (REL) defined by NIOSH?
What major health effect is associated with long-term pesticide exposure for agricultural workers?
What major health effect is associated with long-term pesticide exposure for agricultural workers?
Which of the following represents the highest level of control in the hierarchy of controls?
Which of the following represents the highest level of control in the hierarchy of controls?
What type of waste does the Superfund program primarily address?
What type of waste does the Superfund program primarily address?
Who co-founded the United Farm Workers association?
Who co-founded the United Farm Workers association?
Flashcards
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Fair treatment for everyone regarding environmental laws and policies, ensuring equal protection and access to decision-making about their environment.
Environmental Injustice
Environmental Injustice
Environmental concerns are disproportionately affecting certain groups or societies, experiencing greater risks and harms.
Equity vs. Equality in Environmental Justice
Equity vs. Equality in Environmental Justice
Misunderstanding the difference between equity and equality can devalue the experiences of people facing environmental injustice.
Memphis Sanitation Strike
Memphis Sanitation Strike
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NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Role in Environmental Justice
NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Role in Environmental Justice
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Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
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Warren County, NC - PCB Landfill
Warren County, NC - PCB Landfill
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Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
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Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA)
Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA)
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Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP)
Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP)
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Indigenous Environmental Network
Indigenous Environmental Network
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Radium Girls
Radium Girls
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1994 - Federal Actions for Environmental Justice
1994 - Federal Actions for Environmental Justice
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Iodine-131
Iodine-131
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Non-ionizing radiation
Non-ionizing radiation
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Nuclear fuel cycle
Nuclear fuel cycle
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Nuclear power
Nuclear power
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Nuclear energy benefits
Nuclear energy benefits
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Nuclear energy risks
Nuclear energy risks
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Nuclear waste management
Nuclear waste management
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Photovoltaic (PV) cells
Photovoltaic (PV) cells
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Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)
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Solar energy advantages
Solar energy advantages
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Solar energy disadvantages
Solar energy disadvantages
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Wind turbines
Wind turbines
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Wind power advantages
Wind power advantages
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Wind power disadvantages
Wind power disadvantages
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Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy
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What is petroleum?
What is petroleum?
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What is hydraulic fracturing?
What is hydraulic fracturing?
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What is mountaintop removal mining?
What is mountaintop removal mining?
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What is subsurface mining?
What is subsurface mining?
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What is strip mining?
What is strip mining?
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What is the primary environmental impact of strip and mountaintop mining?
What is the primary environmental impact of strip and mountaintop mining?
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What is acid mine drainage?
What is acid mine drainage?
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What is silicosis?
What is silicosis?
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What is black lung?
What is black lung?
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What is radiation?
What is radiation?
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What is radioactivity?
What is radioactivity?
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What is ionizing radiation?
What is ionizing radiation?
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What is non-ionizing radiation?
What is non-ionizing radiation?
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What is the health effect of ionizing radiation on living things?
What is the health effect of ionizing radiation on living things?
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What is the health effect of non-ionizing radiation on living things?
What is the health effect of non-ionizing radiation on living things?
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What is recycling?
What is recycling?
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What is composting?
What is composting?
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What is incineration?
What is incineration?
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What is leachate?
What is leachate?
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What is the purpose of the bottom layer of a landfill?
What is the purpose of the bottom layer of a landfill?
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What does a landfill liner do?
What does a landfill liner do?
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What is the role of a leachate sump in a landfill?
What is the role of a leachate sump in a landfill?
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How does garbage get processed in a landfill?
How does garbage get processed in a landfill?
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What are some major dangers associated with landfills?
What are some major dangers associated with landfills?
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What is the relationship between landfills and climate change?
What is the relationship between landfills and climate change?
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What is hazardous waste?
What is hazardous waste?
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What is the Superfund intended for?
What is the Superfund intended for?
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What is Love Canal?
What is Love Canal?
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What is CERCLA?
What is CERCLA?
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What is sewage?
What is sewage?
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What is the EPA and what does it do?
What is the EPA and what does it do?
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What is NEPA and why is it important?
What is NEPA and why is it important?
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What does the Clean Air Act regulate?
What does the Clean Air Act regulate?
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What is the purpose of the Clean Water Act?
What is the purpose of the Clean Water Act?
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What does the Safe Drinking Water Act do?
What does the Safe Drinking Water Act do?
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What does the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulate?
What does the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulate?
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What is CERCLA (Superfund) and what does it do?
What is CERCLA (Superfund) and what does it do?
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What does RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) regulate?
What does RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) regulate?
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What is the purpose of the Endangered Species Act?
What is the purpose of the Endangered Species Act?
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What are toxic metals and why are they on the CERCLA list?
What are toxic metals and why are they on the CERCLA list?
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How are humans exposed to toxic metals?
How are humans exposed to toxic metals?
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Why is lead a health concern?
Why is lead a health concern?
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What makes methylmercury a health concern?
What makes methylmercury a health concern?
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What are the dangers of elemental mercury?
What are the dangers of elemental mercury?
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Why is inorganic mercury a health risk?
Why is inorganic mercury a health risk?
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What is the Minamata Bay disaster and why is it important?
What is the Minamata Bay disaster and why is it important?
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Study Notes
Environmental Justice
- Environmental justice is fair treatment for everyone regarding environmental laws and policies, ensuring equal protection and access to decision-making processes.
- Differences in equity and equality are misunderstood, devaluing the experiences of those facing environmental justice concerns.
- Environmental injustice happens when certain groups experience disproportionately high risks and harms, often because another group seeks benefits by taking advantage of them.
- Examples include hazardous waste facilities sited in low-income communities and historical events like the Memphis sanitation strike.
- Environmental racism involves disproportionate targeting of minority communities for toxic burdens like landfills and hazardous waste sites (e.g., Warren County, NC PCB landfill).
Environmental Law and Policy
- Environmental policy provides a framework for deliberate actions to prevent, reduce, or alleviate environmental harm. Environmental laws are court decisions concerning environmental protection.
- Decision-making frameworks are designed to achieve outcomes in society. Standard principles and procedures must be followed.
- Formal systems are governed by rules and guidelines, while informal frameworks are statements or documents explaining the desired effects.
Environmental Policy Process
- Environmental policy processes are typically reactive instead of proactive. The process involves discussion and debate, political action, legislative proposals, law and regulations, and compliance.
- The U.S. Constitution establishes the framework for power distribution among branches of government, including executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
- Precedent-setting court rulings shape common law within specific environmental situations.
- Statutory laws are formally enacted by legislative branches.
- Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are involved in responding to environmental health issues. They provide global and national guidance, respectively.
Environmental Laws in the U.S.
- Important U.S. environmental laws include the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Clean Water and Air Acts, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund). These regulate pollutants emitted into air and water systems; hazardous waste; and the remediation of contaminated sites, respectively.
Toxic Metals
- Toxic metals, including heavy metals and other metallic compounds, are hazardous substances.
- The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) National Priority List of Hazardous Substances features a list of the substances known to pose the highest significant potential threat to human health.
Energy and Waste Management
- Energy sources, like fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and alternative energy (nuclear, solar, wind, geothermal) have various benefits and drawbacks—some renewable, some nonrenewable.
- Waste, both hazardous and general waste, poses environmental and human health concerns
- Waste disposal and management, including landfills, recycling, composting, and incineration, are crucial to mitigating risks.
- Various laws and regulations govern handling, storage, and disposal processes to protect human health and the environment.
Radiation
- Radiation is energy that travels through space,
- Radioactive materials include natural isotopes, man-made isotopes (nuclear testing, etc.) and those generated from industrial processes.
- Ionizing radiation is high in energy, impacting atoms, potentially damaging the tissues and genetic material.
- Non-ionizing radiation is low-energy and does not generally cause immediate visible damage. However, both categories have potential detrimental effects on public health in the long-term.
Water Quality
- Water quality is a crucial aspect of public health
- Laws and regulations guide drinking water quality. Systems must adhere to standards for public health protection.
- Water sources can be affected by different contaminations, including naturally occurring, industrial, municipal and agricultural.
Occupational Health
- Occupational health emphasizes the well-being of workers. Occupational diseases result from exposure to hazards in the workplace.
- Common occupational illnesses affected by hazards like loud noises, toxic chemicals, repetitive motions, and radiation exposure.
- Legal regulations like OSHA and NIOSH play vital roles in establishing workplace safety standards.
Waste Management Laws
- Laws like the Solid Waste Disposal Act are designed to assist states and public health professionals to ensure proper management of waste and to guide proper disposal.
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Description
This quiz explores the principles of environmental justice, focusing on fair treatment and equality in environmental laws and policies. It discusses the nuances between equity and equality, and highlights historical examples and issues of environmental racism. Test your knowledge on the injustices faced by marginalized communities in relation to environmental decision-making.