Application of Citizen Science Risk Communication Tools in a Vulnerable Urban Community

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Yuqin Jiao²  Julie K. Bower⁷  Wansoo Im¹  Nicholas Basta⁴  John Obrycki⁴  Mohammad Z. Al-Hamdan⁵  Allison Wilder²  Claire E. Bollinger²  Tongwen Zhang²  Luddie Sr. Hatten⁶  Jerrie Hatten⁶  Darryl B. Hood²  Mark Edberg³  Barbara E. Hayes³  Valerie Montgomery Rice³ 

[1] VERTICES, LLC 303 George Street Suite 406, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA;Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;;Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USAEnvironmental Science Graduate Program, School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;Universities Space Research Association at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL 35805, USA;Stambaugh-Elwood Citizens for the Environment, LLC Columbus, OH 43207, USA;Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;

关键词: environmental justice;    environmental justice index;    toxics release inventory;    environmental contaminants;    health disparities;    public health exposome;    public participatory geographical information systems;    MapplerX;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph13010011

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

A public participatory geographical information systems (PPGIS) demographic, environmental, socioeconomic, health status portal was developed for the Stambaugh-Elwood (SE) community in Columbus, OH. We hypothesized that soil at SE residences would have metal concentrations above natural background levels. Three aims were developed that allowed testing of this hypothesis. Aim 1 focused on establishing partnerships between academia, state agencies and communities to assist in the development of a community voice. Aim 2 was to design and conduct soil sampling for residents of the SE community. Aim 3 was to utilize our interactive, customized portal as a risk communication tool by allowing residents to educate themselves as to the potential risks from industrial sources in close proximity to their community. Multiple comparisons of means were used to determine differences in soil element concentration by sampling location at p < 0.05. The results demonstrated that eight metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Mo, Se, Tl, Zn) occurred at statistically-significantly greater levels than natural background levels, but most were below risk-based residential soil screening levels. Results were conveyed to residents via an educational, risk-communication informational card. This study demonstrates that community-led coalitions in collaboration with academic teams and state agencies can effectively address environmental concerns.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.