It's Harder to Breathe with White Privilege in the Air
Image by Bronx Climate Justice North
Huff Post
By: Sabrina Sultana
The South Bronx is notorious for its high rates of asthma among racial minorities as a result of their proximity to sources of air pollution. The combination of the poverty-stricken area and historical displacement exposed people of color to health hazards that are rooted in discrimination and negligence.
The truth behind the urban landscape of the South Bronx is an irony. Despite being the most open borough with green spaces in New York City, the South Bronx has been subjected to more environmental hazards than other boroughs. The area has transformed into a space for urban decay and toxic waste. In fact, the biggest waste stations in NYC are located there and two of them include: New York Organic Fertilization Complex and Browning Ferris Industries Medical Waste Incinerator. These waste stations are located close to residential neighborhoods and, since there is no direct access from the highways to the industrial areas, diesel trucks travel on local streets to get from Bruckner Expressway to designated places in the South Bronx like Hunts Point Peninsula. Air quality for residents is therefore significantly lower and more dangerous than other parts of the city because trucks are continuously entering the residential area from the Bruckner Expressway multiple times during the day.
