The Distribution of Pollution: Community Characteristics and Exposure to Air Toxics

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between community-level exposure to air toxics and socioeconomic, political, and demographic characteristics of the population. An index of exposure that is sensitive to toxicity differences and to distance from the emission source is constructed. This index is used to compare exposure levels across communities and to analyze determinants of disparities. Cross-sectional regressions on all continental U.S. zip codes reveal greater exposure in black communities even after controlling for a variety of variables. Voter turnout also affects exposure, and local socioeconomic conditions are found to influence changes in local exposure levels.